Blackhawks Jason Dickinson Gets Two-Year Contract Extension — and Nice Raise

Blackhawks center Jason Dickinson, who has scored a career-high 14 goals so far this season, has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Chicago that pays $4.25 million annually.

The 28-year-old Dickinson is currently in the third-year of a three-year contract he signed in August 2021 while with Vancouver. It has an annual cap hit of $2.65 million with staggered pay throughout the term.

Dickinson has 21 points in in 43 games and has emerged as a leader on rebuilding Chicago.

"Obviously they've showed their commitment to me," Dickinson said. "So it's only right that I feel that same commitment back and give them everything to help bring this team forward because they've invested the two years in me." 

Given his success in Chicago, Dickinson wouldn't have minded a longer deal. See video. 

Especially effective in defensive and shut-down roles, the 6-foot-2, 200 pound forward also has scored some big goals on a team that has struggled offensively — especially recently without injured rookie Connor Bedard.

Dickinson posted his first NHL hat trick on Nov. 24 in a 4-3 overtime win over Toronto.

"Jason adds a unique two-way game to our lineup and his compete level is consistently strong every night," Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. "He's showing his offensive game this year, which has been a huge lift to our team.

"His leadership has been instrumental, and the impact has been evident around the room, particularly with our young guys. We're excited to bring him back and to see him to continue to grow with our team."

Dickinson was a Dallas Stars first-round draft pick (29th overall) in 2013, but never scored more than nine goals in an NHL season before this year. He had a career high 30 points in 2022-23 with the Blackhawks, who acquired him in a trade from the Canucks with a second-round 2024 draft pick in a trade at the start of last season.

Is Dickinson something of a late-bloomer?

"Confidence and opportunity," he said. "And you know what, it's coming together at the right time and it's working. 

"Linemates that are clicking; we're going really well together," Dickinson added. "So I think it's a combination of everything coming together at one. There's not one secret recipe that I can pinpoint for you."

And Dickinson looking forward to Chicago's progress with Connor Bedard and other prospects in the lineup. See video.

Along with Taylor Raddysh and MacKenzie Entwistle, Dickinson is of three Blackhawks forwards from Georgetown, Ontario, on the northwestern edge of the Greater Toronto Area.

The Blackhawks signed forward Nick Foligno, the team's de facto captain, to a fresh two-year contract last Friday. It will pay the 36-year-old Foligno $4.5 million per season and solidified the team's leadership as it infuses prospects.

Entering Tuesday's game with San Jose, Chicago had the second-worst record in the NHL and the second-lowest goal output at 97.