The Sam Dickinson Deep Dive

I mean this in the best possible way.

Sam Dickinson is boring.

You know what you are getting from Dickinson most shifts and most nights. This is what every GM and Coach wants in their defense. A guy they can throw over the boards and be asked to shut down the other team's best players.

It's very easy to see why General Manager Mike Grier was excited to select Dickinson with the 11th overall pick in last month's draft. Sam Dickinson has extremely translatable traits that will make him, at worst, a second-pairing defenseman who eats a ton of minutes in the NHL. If he solves some of his issues, he has all the makings of a top-pairing defenseman on a quality team.

The Positives

Being 6'3" and over 200 pounds before you turn 18 helps in a player's projection. Dickinson, who didn't turn 18 until June 7, is one of those players who understands how to use his frame already. Many young players who are bigger than their counterparts don't know how to use their size to their advantage. Dickinson uses his size well and in ways that will translate to the NHL.

Dickinson is great at using his size to eliminate his opponents from plays and allowing his partner to come in and make a simple play. Dickinson has the makings of the perfect partner (especially for a more offensively inclined defenseman) because he thrives at making the dirty plays that lead to moving the play.