2024 Flyers Draft Prospects: Sam Dickinson
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The Philadelphia Flyers have already drafted (and signed!) two current London Knights in Oliver Bonk and Denver Barkey, but there is a possibility that they could add a third to the organization if defenseman Sam Dickinson is available for the 12th overall pick.
A standout defenseman in the OHL, Dickinson is a popular candidate that many teams will be hoping to snap up once the draft rolls around.
It's not hard to see why—Dickinson's game exceeds his 17 years by a significant margin.
A compliment that pops up quite a bit when looking through scouting reports on the young blueliner is that he excels in areas of his defensive game that most players his age don't have a solid handling of at this stage in their development—particularly in his abilities to defend well against the rush and in his own zone, along with having good positional awareness and decision-making.
Dickinson has also been praised for his impressive gap control and high hockey IQ, knowing how to utilize his size and skill in order to neutralize attacking threats.
There's no doubt that he would be a welcome addition to the Flyers defense, bringing more depth and youth to the back line, and already having elements of his game that perfectly suit the way Philadelphia defends.
Standing at six-foot-two and 199 lbs., Dickinson has a significant physical advantage, and he knows how to use it. He's not afraid to lay hits, whether it be along the boards or on open ice, and he's also noted as being willing to put his body on the line to keep pucks out—what has become a signature Flyers defensive tactic since John Tortorella took over head coaching duties.
It's not hard to imagine that Tortorella would also be excited by the fact that Dickinson is a mobile skater with a powerful shot, and while his offensive game could use some more growth and improvement, he is still a fairly significant contributor up front without being too flashy.
While it will likely take some luck and a whole lot of prayers for Dickinson to still be on the board when it comes time for the Flyers to pick, he would be a great acquisition if they can get him. A young defenseman with a dazzling amount of natural ability—not to mention an outgoing personality that will fit right into the Flyers locker room—Dickinson has all the potential to be a top NHL D-man, and could easily become a staple on the Flyers back line in the coming seasons.
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