Throughout this year, one word could be used to describe the Blackhawks: change. Chicago has had far more than its fair share of ups and downs over what has been a grueling season. From an exciting beginning of unknowns to a devastating slew of injuries and record-setting failures to the team’s recent success, the Blackhawks have been through it all. Just about every player has had their individual peaks and valleys as well.
Perhaps the only exception to that rule, however, has been veteran Jason Dickinson. The 28-year-old forward, who came to Chicago before last season, is enjoying a career year as the most consistent player on the Blackhawks.
Offensive Contributions and Consistency
After scoring Chicago’s only goal Tuesday night against the Islanders, Dickinson extended his season total to 21 goals and 34 points, both career highs. But his value to a team that desperately needs it goes far beyond just his solid scoring numbers. Aside from that and his consistency (as the only Blackhawk to play in all 75 games so far this season), Dickinson’s contributions extend to the defensive end of the ice.
Defensive Contributions
The Blackhawks have been woefully bad in the goal-differential department – they’re -96 on the year, good for second-worst in the league. However, Dickinson has somehow gotten his individual number to +5 this season, second only to Joey Anderson, who has played on the same line as Dickinson for the majority of the year.
What makes those numbers even more impressive is who he’s accomplishing them against. Dickinson is routinely put on the ice against the opposition’s best scorers. With a large portion of his ice time coming at the same time as players like Connor McDavid or Auston Matthews, his defensive success doesn’t even seem possible.
Faceoff Success
The faceoff dot has been a one-man show for the Blackhawks this year, and that one man has been Dickinson. He had taken 1,122 draws before Tuesday. Second behind him in Chicago is Connor Bedard, who had taken 487. For comparison, if you took out all of Dickinson’s 566 faceoff wins (50.4 percent), he’d still be the Blackhawks’ leader. He also ranks fifth in the NHL in defensive-zone faceoffs taken, further adding to his all-around impressive year.
Shorthanded Success
Another area where Dickinson is a staple in Chicago is on the penalty-killing unit. He’s been on the ice for just under half of his team’s total PK minutes this year, a feat only eclipsed by 19 NHL forwards. He ranks fifth among all forwards in shorthanded faceoffs taken and is constantly making plays to shut down the team with the extra attacker.
Selke Trophy Consideration?
Dickinson has been the most consistent, and important, player on the Blackhawks all year, and he deserves to be recognized for that success. Fortunately, there’s an award that does just that. With just a few games left to make his case, Dickinson should certainly be in the conversation for the Selke Trophy, given “annually to the National Hockey League forward who demonstrates the most skill in the defensive component of the game.” With plenty of focus in the league around scoring and offensive prowess, the Selke Trophy is a way to honor all-around valuable players like Dickinson.
Could he win the award? It isn’t likely. Dickinson has expectedly been out of the spotlight for much of this year because of Bedard and the other “shiny new toys” in Chicago. Players like Aleksander Barkov and Anze Kopitar, as great all-around players in their own right, are receiving much more attention with regard to the trophy. But there’s no question Dickinson is doing something special in Chicago. The veteran is doing everything the award aims to recognize – he just isn’t getting the consideration he deserves.
