Sharks Commit to Top Prospect Sam Dickinson, Burning First Year of Entry-Level Contract
SAN JOSE, CA – November 12, 2023 – The San Jose Sharks have solidified their commitment to highly-touted defensive prospect Sam Dickinson, as the 19-year-old will play in his 10th NHL game of the season Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings, officially triggering the first year of his three-year entry-level contract.
Dickinson, drafted 11th overall by the Sharks in 2023, had previously appeared in nine of the team’s first 12 games. The decision to play him in a 10th game means the Sharks have utilized a year of his contract, which previously had a “slide” option allowing them to return him to his junior team, the London Knights.While the Sharks retain the ability to send Dickinson back to London, his entry-level deal will now expire after the 2027-28 season, making him a restricted free agent at that time.
Should Dickinson appear in 40 games this season, he will move one year closer to unrestricted free agency.his contract carries a $942,500 salary cap hit, bringing the Sharks to the NHL limit of 50 contracts.
The Sharks could have played Dickinson in up to nine games without burning a year of his entry-level contract, but have persistent his development is best served remaining in the NHL. Despite being scratched for Saturday’s 3-2 overtime win against the colorado Avalanche, Dickinson expressed his eagerness to contribute.
“This has been my dream for so long,” Dickinson said Friday. “Every kid who plays hockey’s dream is to play in the NHL, and just to get a taste of it now is pretty surreal. The possibility to stay here for the year is potentially right around the corner, and it’s everything that I’ve worked for and definitely something that I’m pretty excited for, the potential of it to happen.”
Sharks coach Ryan Warsofsky echoed this sentiment, stating, “Right now, we believe being right here is a good spot for him.”
Dickinson has yet to register a point in his nine NHL games. The Sharks also have another young player, 18-year-old centre Michael Misa, who could potentially join Canada’s entry for the IIHF World Junior Championship in late December.
the Sharks (4-6-2) face a challenging week ahead, with upcoming games against the Seattle Kraken on Wednesday, and then home contests against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday and the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
