Sam Dickinson a potential top 4 pick for the Chicago Blackhawks?

The mastermind behind @RecScouting is Gabe Foley (@NHLFoley), who wears many hats as the managing editor and head of amateur scouting. Our conversations with him over the years have covered everything from draft picks to underrated players, and of course, some intense hockey debates (despite his allegiance to the Blues).

In the upcoming Blackhawk series, we explored Sam Dickinson's profile in depth, highlighting his potential to seamlessly integrate into the current Blackhawks roster. Despite not being right-handed like Artyom Levshunov, Dickinson offers the versatility to perform effectively on either side. Although uncommon, Dickinson has the capability to excel in various aspects, positioning him as a strong contender to successfully manage such a transition.

Two months ago, Blue Chip Prospect conducted a scouting analysis on Dickinson. However, since then, he has had an outstanding season for the London Knights, accumulating an impressive 70 points in 68 games, including 18 goals. Despite being one of the younger prospects in his class, with a June birthday, Dickinson possesses a physically mature frame, standing at 6'3 and weighing 194lbs. Given these attributes, it is reasonable to project him as a true top pairing option as a two-way defenseman.

Despite the significant focus on Levshunov by Chicago fans, it is worth noting that there exists a genuine possibility where Levshunov might not be within reach when the Hawks make their selection. Presently, the Blackhawks appear to have a guaranteed top 4 pick. Nevertheless, if they encounter "unfavorable" circumstances and secure the 4th spot, it is highly probable that Artyom Levshunov will already be off the table. In such a situation, the question arises whether they would shift their attention to Sam Dickinson.