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Sam Dickinson believes he can play in the NHL at 18 this fall

 Matthew Garcia
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Sam Dickinson believes he can play in the NHL at 18 this fall
Credit: Photo by Chris Tanouye/Getty Images

The next NHL draft will be quite strong in terms of defensemen. There’s a lot of talk about Artyom Levshunov, who could be selected second overall by the Blackhawks, but guys like Anton Silayev, Zeev Buium, Zayne Parekh and Carter Yakemchuk are also popular names.

In Montreal, Cole Hutson’s name is also popular, mainly because of his brother Lane.

But there’s another name that’s been gaining in popularity for a while: Sam Dickinson. The Knights defenseman, of whom Simon Boisvert is a great fan, is one of the best defensemen of the year, but also one of the best prospects in the eyes of some.

And yesterday, Dickinson chatted with Anthony Martineau, who is at the Combine for TVA Sports. What came out of the interview was that the Knights defenseman could see himself playing with another former Knights in Montreal, Logan Mailloux.

But above all, it’s the fact that he thinks he’ll be able to play in the NHL as early as next fall.

The young man, who is celebrating his 18th birthday today, doesn’t seem to lack confidence. That said, it’s becoming increasingly rare to see kids make the jump to the NHL at the age of 18.

Usually, the first pick of the auction does, and a handful of other prospects start the year in the Bettman circuit, but they’re becoming increasingly rare.

It’s not impossible that the defenseman, who just amassed 70 points in 68 junior games last season, really is ready to make the leap. That said, for his development, playing big minutes might be a better avenue… and I can’t see any NHL team making him play big minutes at 18.

In an ideal world, he’d probably spend next season in the AHL… but the agreement between the NHL and the CHL makes that impossible.

We’ll have to see if the team that drafts Dickinson is prepared to give him a chance in the NHL next season, but let’s just say I find it hard to believe.

And if it’s the Habs who select him, I’ll fall off my chair if the left-handed defenseman makes the roster at the start of the season.


In gusto

– Read on.

– What do you think?

– A name to watch this summer.

– Can’t wait to see it.

– Celtics win Game 1 of NBA Finals.

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