DALLAS — Martin Hanzal’s ongoing injury issues have opened a window of opportunity for Jason Dickinson.
And Dallas Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock is going to give Dickinson every chance to jump through that window, starting with Tuesday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Dickinson is going to center a line between Devin Shore and Brett Ritchie. The group will likely get fourth-line minutes, but there is a hope with Dickinson playing his natural position he’ll be able to elevate his role throughout the game.
“I think he’s right on the cusp of being ready to go full-time,” Hitchcock said. “His improvement in the three times he’s been with us on these occasions, he’s gotten better and better. He’s obviously a dominant AHL player, and he’s looking more and more comfortable. And I think you’re going to see look like he’s ready to stay now and looking forward to it.”
Jason Dickinson doesn’t have a point in seven NHL games this season, but has been consistently been one of the Texas Stars best forwards.
In 31 AHL games he has 21 points (16 goals, five assists), including a pair of goals this past weekend when Texas swept the first-place Manitoba Moose and moved into second in their division.
“It’s been going well, I think I’ve been playing well and I think my points are just a part of the bigger part of my game,” Dickinson said. “I’ve really been focussed on being the best overall player, not just the best offensive player or anything like that.”
His role tonight is still to be determined, but in the AHL Dickinson is one of the better penalty killers. He plays on the Texas Stars top unit, and has a knack for creating chances while shorthanded. With Hanzal out, he could get an occasional short-handed shift against the Panthers.
Dickinson’s gain is a loss for Gemel Smith, who will be healthy scratched tonight alongside Julius Honka on defense. After playing in 27 of 30 games from Oct. 26 to Dec. 31, Smith has been scratched in six of the past seven.
Nichushkin banned from the Olympics
Former and potential future Dallas Stars winger Valeri Nichushkin has been banned from the upcoming Winter Olympics by the International Olympic Committee.
It’s not clear why Nichushkin isn’t allowed to compete at the Olympics. While many Russians are banned for doping reasons, it’s been indicated that Nichushkin hasn’t been banned for that reason.
It can't be connected to doping in case of Nichushkin, Bereglazov or Naumenkov
— Igor Eronko (@IgorEronko) January 23, 2018
Here is the statement from the Russian federation, you can read the full thing here.
Taking into account the heightened attention being paid to the question of our team participating at the tournament, the Russian Ice Hockey Federation feels it’s necessary to state that the mentioned five players have not been banned from taking part in competitions. However, according to the IOC’s program for Russian athletes competing at the 2018 Olympic Games, they have not received an invitation to participate in the tournament.
At the same time, the IOC stressed that these players are not guilty of breaching anti-doping rules. When inviting players to take part at the Olympic Games, the IOC considered a wide range of factors.
The RIHF are requesting information from the IOC for the reasons why these players were not invited.
Panthers projected lineup
Jonathan Huberdeau — Aleksander Barkov — Evgenii Dadonov
Connor Brickley — Vincent Trocheck — Radim Vrbata
Jamie McGinn — Jared McCann — Nick Bjugstad
Micheal Haley — Derek MacKenzie — Colton Sceviour
Keith Yandle — Aaron Ekblad
Mike Matheson — Mark Pysyk
MacKenzie Weegar — Alex Petrovic
James Reimer
Harri Sateri
Scratched: Denis Malgin, Ian McCoshen
Injured: Roberto Luongo (lower body)
Stars projected lineup
Jamie Benn — Tyler Seguin — Alexander Radulov
Remi Elie — Jason Spezza — Mattias Janmark
Antoine Roussel — Radek Faksa — Tyler Pitlick
Devin Shore — Jason Dickinson — Brett Ritchie
Esa Lindell — John Klingberg
Dan Hamhuis — Greg Pateryn
Dillon Heatherington — Stephen Johns
Ben Bishop
Kari Lehtonen
Scratched: Julius Honka, Gemel Smith
Injured: Marc Methot (knee), Martin Hanzal (lower-body)
Garret Matchen says
At what point should we actually be concerned about Honka’s development/lack of playtime?
John Capps says
Im thinking at what point do we see Honka’s name floated around in trade talk?..Its obvious he is low man on Hitch’s D list..
Garret Matchen says
Agreed. I’d say package him for a top 6 RW. Just my armchair GM idea though