Sam
Dickinson
D · SJS · Limited · Very poor
- PAL
- 14
- WAR
- -0.5
- Value
- 25
- PTS
- 14
2025-26№ 297 / 325
Sam Dickinson (San Jose Sharks) stats and profile: offensive production, ice time, advanced stats, WAR and PAL rating.
Sam Dickinson
HEIGHT : 191 cm · WEIGHT : 91 kg · SHOOTS : L
Born : June 6, 2006 · Toronto, Canada
Drafted : 2024 · SJS · round 1, pick #11
Contract : $975,000 · 2024-25 → 2027-28 · Entry-Level Contract · RFA · Signing bonus $97,500
NHL record
| Year | Team | GP | G | A | PTS | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | San Jose Sharks | 17 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 8 |
| 2025-26 | San Jose Sharks | 72 | 1 | 13 | 14 | 22 |
| NHL totals | 89 | 2 | 15 | 17 | 30 | |
Sam Dickinson: our analysis
2025-26 season: 72 GP, 1 G, 13 A, 14 PTS, -5 +/-, 16:45 TOI. WAR -0.5 (297th of 325) · PAL 14, very poor.
In 2025-26, Sam Dickinson, 20, posts a PAL Rating of 14 out of 100 (very poor), and his WAR of -0.5 ranks 297th among 325 regulars, in the bottom quarter.
His strengths: creation (81, well above average). On the other hand, power play (10, among the weakest in the league) and defense (12, among the weakest in the league) hold him back.
Breaking down his WAR (goals above average), his biggest contribution: EV offense (+0.8); his biggest cost: finishing (-3.3).
Contract-wise, his Value score of 25 (poor return) weighs his output against what he costs: 50 is what that salary should buy.
Sam Dickinson's story
Growing up in Toronto, Sam Dickinson developed his game with the Toronto Marlboros in the GTHL and skated for St. Michael's College School. He began his youth career as a winger — even lining up next to Beckett Sennecke — before switching to defence around age fourteen, a change that set the tone for his junior rise.
Selected fourth overall in the 2022 OHL draft by the Niagara IceDogs, Dickinson never signed there after Niagara failed to arrange a meeting; his OHL rights were subsequently traded to the London Knights. Although taken by the Chicago Steel in the USHL draft, he chose London. In his 2022–23 major junior debut he posted nine goals and 23 points in 62 regular-season games, added four goals and eight points across 21 playoff games, and earned a spot on the OHL First All-Rookie Team.
Dickinson progressed into a leading role on London’s blue line the following seasons. During the 2023–24 campaign he anchored the defence through a fourteen-game winning run from December 14 to January 20 while key forwards were at the World Junior Championship; he was OHL player of the week for the week ending January 1, 2024, and captained Team Red at the CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game. He finished that regular season with 70 points in 68 games, helped the Knights claim the Hamilton Spectator Trophy, was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team, and reached the Memorial Cup final after winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup.
Taken 11th overall by the San Jose Sharks in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Dickinson signed his entry-level contract on July 10, 2024. In 2024–25 he produced 29 goals and 62 assists for 91 points in 55 games with London, setting the franchise single-season points record for a defenceman, leading the OHL with a +64 rating, and earning the Max Kaminsky Trophy and First Team All-Star honours. The Knights captured a second straight Robertson Cup and went on to win the 2025 Memorial Cup; Dickinson was named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team and later received the CHL Defenceman of the Year award.
Internationally, he captained Team Canada Black at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge (one goal, one assist in seven games, named to the tournament all-star team) and was an alternate captain on the Canadian squad that won gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. On the ice he combines offensive output from the back end with clear defensive responsibilities and leadership within his teams.
Facts drawn from Wikipédia, told in our own words.
Advanced stats
- TOI/GP
- 18:16
- PP TOI/GP
- 0:05
- SH TOI/GP
- 1:33
- Pts/GP
- 0.18
- EV points
- 2
- Hits
- 19
- Blocks
- 22
- Takeaways
- 10
- Corsi % (SAT)
- 46.7 %
- Off. zone starts
- 27.8 %
Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)
Prospect value
Scout Report Center →Rank
21
among all 32 teams' prospects
Rating
98/ 100
percentile among prospects at his position
Potential
75/ 80
First line or top pair
Ceiling: 6.5 WAR from age 21 to 26
NHL probability
81 %
of playing 200 NHL games from age 21 to 26
Expected WAR, age 21-26
2.6
the most likely outcome
NHLe
—
NHL points over 82 games, from 2025-26 (—, 0 games)
2026-27 projection
Projected points
15between 6 and 23 (80% range)
- Goals
- 3
- Assists
- 12
- Games
- 74
So far: 3 pts in 17 games. The team has played 19 of 84 games. Projected pace: 0.21 pts per game (last season: 0.19).
The projection follows last season's pace. Tested on 2,265 player seasons (2022-23 to 2025-26): average miss of 9 points over 82 games; for players at 0.9 points per game and up, it ran 5 points high on average.
This is only a projection. It knows nothing about injuries, trades or role changes; one player in five finishes outside the range.
Player ratings, 2025-26
All ratings →Fourteen ratings from 0 to 100 drawn from data, never by hand: 75 = established NHL player, 95+ = elite.
OV · OverallConfidence 54 %
63
Depth
- SK
- Skating
- 78
- Confidence 40 %
- ST
- Strength
- 76
- Confidence 60 %
- EN
- Endurance
- 72
- Confidence 50 %
- DU
- Durability
- 76
- Confidence 40 %
- CK
- Checking
- 77
- Confidence 60 %
- FG
- Fighting
- 76
- Confidence 31 %
- DI
- Discipline
- 72
- Confidence 60 %
- FO
- Faceoffs
- —
- PA
- Passing
- 71
- Confidence 54 %
- SC
- Scoring
- 68
- Confidence 54 %
- DF
- Defense
- 61
- Confidence 50 %
- PS
- Penalty shot
- 76
- Confidence 0 %
- EX
- Experience
- 42
- Confidence 100 %
Why these ratings?Hide details
SK — Skating78
- Top speed (35 %)35.6 · 77
- Bursts > 20 mph /60 (30 %)2.581 · 82
- Distance /60 (20 %)13.9 · 67
- Speed consistency (15 %)35.2 · 82
ST — Strength76
- Contact absorbed /60 (50 %)5.766 · 79
- Body mass (50 %)0.076 · 72
EN — Endurance72
- Ice time per game (45 %)17.6 · 68
- Total ice time (20 %)1,196 · 71
- Shift length (15 %)51 · 84
- Lowest recent ice time per game (15 %)17.1 · 73
- Special-teams time per game (5 %)1.707 · 63
DU — Durability76
- Share of games played (100 %)0.822 · 76
CK — Checking77
- Hits /60 (70 %)3.615 · 77
- Lowest seasonal rate (20 %)3.387 · 78
- Season volume (10 %)4.318 · 78
FG — Fighting76
- Fights per 82 games (100 %)0.847 · 76
DI — Discipline72
- Net penalty value /60 (50 %)-0.047 · 72
- Penalties taken /60 (30 %)0.583 · 77
- Penalties drawn /60 (20 %)0.305 · 66
PA — Passing71
- Primary assists /60 (40 %)0.274 · 64
- Secondary assists /60 (20 %)0.457 · 78
- Offensive creation (RAPM) (20 %)0.034 · 79
- Power-play points /60 (10 %)3.689 · 64
- Assist consistency (10 %)0.231 · 75
SC — Scoring68
- Goals /60 (25 %)0.117 · 54
- Individual xG /60 (20 %)0.219 · 78
- Finishing (goals − xG per shot) (20 %)-0.246 · 54
- High-danger chances /60 (15 %)0.142 · 80
- xG per shot (10 %)0.035 · 78
- Shot attempts /60 (10 %)10.1 · 77
DF — Defense61
- RAPM defense /60 (35 %)-0.048 · 66
- Relative xG against (20 %)0.145 · 63
- On-ice xG against /60 (15 %)2.732 · 67
- Penalty kill /60 (10 %)0.017 · 78
- Takeaways − giveaways /60 (10 %)-2.752 · 54
- Shot attempts against /60 (5 %)58.9 · 70
- Blocked shots /60 (5 %)3.851 · 67
PS — Penalty shot76
- Shootouts (60 %)32.7 · 76
- Penalty shots (40 %)26.7 · 76
EX — Experience42
- Career regular-season games (65 %)61
- Career playoff games (25 %)0
- NHL seasons (10 %)24
OV — Overall63
- DF · Defense (30 %)61
- PA · Passing (22 %)71
- SK · Skating (12 %)78
- SC · Scoring (12 %)68
- EN · Endurance (9 %)72
- ST · Strength (6 %)76
- DI · Discipline (5 %)72
- CK · Checking (4 %)77
The bars show confidence (sample size), not player quality. — : not enough data, not a zero. Engine version 1.0.
WAR and PAL ratings, 2025-26
How we rate →PAL Rating scores performance from 0 to 100 against players at the same position (50 = average player), starting from the player's strength, offensive or defensive. Value Rating compares that performance with what the player costs: 50 means paid what the play is worth.
WAR
-0.5
wins above replacement
297 of 325
PAL Rating
14/ 100
Performance · Very poor
212 of 250 at the position
Value Rating
25/ 100
Poor return
0.94 M$ · expected PAL 39
ProfileLimitedBelow average at both ends
- Offense
- 30
- Defense
- 13
See full detailsHide details
- Offense
- 14
- Creation
- 81
- Shooting
- 29
- Possession
- 26
- Defense
- 12
- Discipline
- 40
- Power play
- 10
- Penalty kill
- 44
From 0 to 100; 50 is the average player at the same position, adjusted for ice time.
Hockey IQ, 2025-26
Rankings and method →The quality of the player's decisions with and against the puck at 5-on-5, against regulars at the same position (50 = average). PAL measures output; IQ measures how the player plays.
Overall IQ
51/ 100
Average
better than 51% of defensemen, offense and defense combined
Offensive IQ
55/ 100
Average
passing, shots, puck
Defensive IQ
42/ 100
Average
takeaways, discipline, own zone
Overall IQ isn't an average of the two scores: it's the player's rank with offense and defense combined, 110 of 225 defensemen.
See full detailsHide details
Offense
- Playmaking passes
- 28
- Shot selection
- 65
- Penalties drawn
- 36
- Puck management
- 80
Defense
- Takeaways
- 67
- Discipline
- 57
- Safe zone exits
- 14
Percentiles: 80 means better than 80% of regulars at the same position. Play without the puck (positioning, coverage) isn't measured: the NHL doesn't publish that data.
WAR, 2025-26
How it's calculated →Wins added to the team, compared with a replacement-level player called up from the AHL.
-0.5
wins above replacement
-1.2 to -0.1 — 90% interval
297 of 325 defensemen
-2.5 goals above replacement
Full leaderboard →See full detailsHide details
- EV offense
- +0.8
- EV defense
- -1.5
- Power play
- -0.0
- Penalty kill
- +0.1
- Shooting
- -3.3
- Penalties
- -1.0
- Average → replacement
- +2.5
In goals.
Player tracking (NHL EDGE)
League EDGE leaderboards →Speed, shot power, distance covered, time by zone: measured by chips in the puck and shoulder pads. 90th percentile = better than 90% of players.
- Hardest shot
- 149.0 km/h78th percentileleague avg. 139.8 km/h
- Top skating speed
- 37.7 km/h99th percentileleague avg. 34.1 km/h
- Bursts over 20 mph, season
- 3899th percentileleague avg. 9
- Offensive zone time
- 38.9 %19th percentileleague avg. 40.9 %
See full detailsHide details
- Total distance, season
- 71.4 km60th percentileleague avg. 57.1 km
- Distance, single-game high
- 5.27 km59th percentileleague avg. 4.99 km
- Offensive zone at 5v5
- 39.5 %13th percentileleague avg. 41.6 %
- Neutral zone time
- 19.0 %91st percentileleague avg. 18.5 %
- Defensive zone time
- 42.0 %31st percentileleague avg. 40.6 %
Shooting
| Shots on goal | Goals | Shooting % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All | 1350th percentile | 171st percentile | 7.7 %62nd percentile |
| High danger | 287th percentile | 198th percentile | 50.0 %82nd percentile |
| Mid range | 135th percentile | 072nd percentile | 0.0 %0th percentile |
| Long range | 651st percentile | 077th percentile | 0.0 %67th percentile |
Shots on goal by zone
2026-2027 regular season. Measured by puck and player tracking chips; the percentile ranks the player within the league.
Game log, 2026-27
DAL
MIN
LAK
CGY
OTT
VAN
BUF
BOS
MTL
TOR
DET
NSH
EDM
STLSam Dickinson: frequently asked questions
How many goals does Sam Dickinson have in 2026-27?
Sam Dickinson has 1 goal and 3 points (2 assists) in 17 games in 2026-27.
How old is Sam Dickinson?
Sam Dickinson is 20 years old: he was born on June 7, 2006.
How tall is Sam Dickinson, and how much does he weigh?
Sam Dickinson is 6'3" (191 cm) and weighs 201 lb (91 kg).
Where is Sam Dickinson from?
Canada: Sam Dickinson was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
What team does Sam Dickinson play for?
Sam Dickinson plays for the San Jose Sharks in the NHL, at D, wearing number 6.
Is Sam Dickinson injured?
No: Sam Dickinson is not on the latest NHL injury report. This answer is updated throughout the season.
How good is Sam Dickinson?
Sam Dickinson produced -0.5 wins above replacement (WAR) in 2025-26, 297th of 325 players at his position in the NHL. His PAL rating is 14 out of 100: very poor for his position.
How much does Sam Dickinson make?
Sam Dickinson earns $943K for the 2025-26 season. His Value Rating is 25 out of 100 (poor return): it measures the on-field return for that salary, compared with players at his position.
When does Sam Dickinson's contract end?
Sam Dickinson's contract runs through the 2027-28 season; he will then be a restricted free agent.
Is Sam Dickinson overpaid?
Yes, his output falls short of what his salary should buy. His Value rating is 25 out of 100 (poor return), where 50 is the output expected for his salary, compared with players at his position.
Is Sam Dickinson a top-10 player at his position?
No: by WAR, he ranks 297th of 325 players at his position in the NHL in 2025-26. Our comparison tool puts him side by side with any other player.
How has Sam Dickinson played lately?
Over his last 10 games, Sam Dickinson has 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist).
What are Sam Dickinson's career stats?
Over his NHL career, Sam Dickinson has 89 games, 2 goals, 15 assists and 17 points. His best season: 2025-26, with 14 points in 72 games.
Where was Sam Dickinson drafted?
Sam Dickinson was drafted 11th overall (round 1) by San Jose Sharks in 2024.
Is Sam Dickinson better at home or on the road?
No real difference: in 2026-27, he averages 0.17 points per game at home (1 in 6 games) and 0.18 on the road (2 in 11 games).
How does Sam Dickinson perform in the playoffs?
Sam Dickinson has not played in the NHL playoffs yet.
Which player is most similar to Sam Dickinson?
Justin Barron: he is the player at his position whose PAL profile (the 0-to-100 dimensions) is closest to his in 2025-26.
Justin Barron's page →Is Sam Dickinson a good fantasy pick?
Probably not, except in deep leagues: our projection has him at 15 points in 2026-27, or 0.20 points per game.
What is Sam Dickinson's nationality?
Sam Dickinson is Canadian. Internationally: Team Canada: captained Team Canada Black at the World U-17 Hockey Challenge (1 goal, 1 assist in 7 games; named to tournament all-star team); won gold at the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup as an alternate captain.
What awards has Sam Dickinson won?
Named to the OHL First All-Rookie Team (2022–23 season). ; OHL player of the week (week ending January 1, 2024). ; Named to the OHL Second All-Star Team (2023–24 season). ; Max Kaminsky Trophy as OHL defenceman of the year (2025). ; Named an OHL First Team All-Star (2025). ; Named to the Memorial Cup All-Star Team (2025). ; Recipient of the CHL Defenceman of the Year honour (2025). ; Named a CHL First Team All-Star (2025).; and more.
How many championships has Sam Dickinson won?
4: Hamilton Spectator Trophy with the London Knights as top regular-season team (2023–24 season).; Won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the London Knights (OHL champions, 2024).; Won the J. Ross Robertson Cup with the London Knights (OHL champions, 2025).; Memorial Cup champion with the London Knights (2025)..
Where did Sam Dickinson play before turning pro?
Toronto Marlboros (GTHL) at U14, U15 and U16 levels; high school hockey at St. Michael's College School (Toronto); London Knights (OHL), 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons..
How many points is Sam Dickinson projected to score in 2026-27?
Our projection has him at 15 points in 74 games in 2026-27 (6 to 23 points, 80% interval), based on his recent seasons, age and role.
See also: his San Jose Sharks teammates
Full roster →
NHL.com ↗ · Stats and photos: NHL (NHL.com)