Devils 2024 NHL Draft Profile: Sam Dickinson

Sam Dickinson's excellent skating and high-end upside should make him an option for the New Jersey Devils at 10th overall.

---

Follow us on Twitter: @AlexC_NJD, @NJD_OnTheRush

---

If the New Jersey Devils keep the 10th overall pick, the most likely outcome is *probably* drafting a forward. I say probably because there are a few high-end defensemen at the top of this draft that might interest them. 

One of those is Sam Dickinson, who had a terrific year in the OHL with the London Knights. I'd bet he's likely off the board by the time the Devils draft. But if he's still there, there's a strong argument that he'd be the best player available. Let's look at Dickinson's game and why the Devils could consider him at No. 10. 

Dickinson's Rankings

• NHL Central Scouting (NA Skaters): 7

• Elite Prospects: 8

• TSN/Bob McKenzie: 7

• TSN/Craig Button: 8

• McKeen's Hockey: 2

• FLOHOCKEY/Chris Peters: 6

• Sportsnet/Cosentino: 8

• Sportsnet/Bukala: 6

Dickinson was one of the top defensemen in the OHL this season, totaling 18 goals and 70 points in 68 games as a 17-year-old. He also added four goals and 13 points in 18 games for the Knights in the playoffs. 

The first thing you notice about Dickinson when pulling up any highlight package on YouTube is his excellent skating, especially for someone who measures 6-foot-3, 190 pounds. He has great top speed and can fly on the rush. 

Dickinson's transition game is outstanding and will likely be a major strength in the NHL. He's not afraid to jump into the attack and can use his skating to pull players out of position with his pace in the neutral zone.

Dickinson is undeniably one of the best skaters in the draft, and not just for defensemen. But many other parts of his game are tantalizing. He has above-average puck skills, partly because of his excellent skating and the pace that he plays with. 

He can use his puck skills and stick handling to confuse players in the neutral zone and cruise on the rush or to create more time and space for himself in the offensive zone. As a passer, Dickinson can stretch the ice with accuracy, partly because he has great awareness of where his teammates are up the ice.

As a shooter, Dickinson has more potential than his 18 goals show. He has a wicked one-timer and a wrist shot that will allow him to pick corners. I would say that he's likely to be more of a playmaking defenseman in the NHL, but there is a weapon to work with in his shot. And it could even get better as he matures.