Blackhawks predicted to trade $4.25 million center before NHL deadline originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago Blackhawks got their NHL trade deadline week underway Monday when they sent Connor Murphy to the Edmonton Oilers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIt's hard to think that they're done with that. There's almost surely more to come.
Next up might be Jason Dickinson.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston lists Dickinson on his trade board in a new article, and he explains why this would be logical for Chicago to do.
"A defense-first center who specializes in smothering opponents, Dickinson is ideally suited for a bottom-six role on a strong team," Johnston writes. "He’s produced strong underlying metrics for the Blackhawks this season despite being fed a steady diet of defensive-zone starts. While Dickinson doesn’t produce much offense, he can anchor a shutdown line and bring added value as a penalty killer. He’s also playing on an expiring contract."
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMORE: Maple Leafs getting help from Flyers to trade veteran center
That last detail is just thrown in there by Johnston, but it's crucial.
The Blackhawks aren't in a position to ride out the season with Dickinson only to lose him for nothing. This is the time to move him and return something of value.
Plenty of teams are looking for a center like Dickinson at this point.
In fact, he's got a decent amount of role overlap with the Maple Leafs' Scott Laughton, so if a team wants Laughton and doesn't get him, maybe they can go after Dickinson.
He isn't a fit for Chicago's future, so it's time to cash in on him.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Blackhawks seem quite unlikely to head to the weekend with Dickinson still on their roster.
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Alex Ovechkin has shared an update on his retirement plans
Evgeni Malkin gets big news on a possible future