Jason Dickinson signed a five-year, $20 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, keeping the forward off the NHL free-agent market before he could have become unrestricted on July 1.
NHL.com reported the deal carries an average annual value of $4 million. Dickinson had 17 points, seven goals and 10 assists, in 64 regular-season games split between Edmonton and the Chicago Blackhawks last season.
Oilers Keep Dickinson Before Free Agency
Edmonton acquired Dickinson from Chicago on March 4, and he produced four points, two goals and two assists, in 17 games after the trade. The new contract gives the Oilers a checking forward under term instead of pushing the decision into unrestricted free agency.
Dickinson also had three points in four Stanley Cup Playoff games before Edmonton was eliminated by the Anaheim Ducks in six games in the first round. The early exit kept depth forwards and penalty-killing help near the front of Edmonton's offseason planning.
Injury Update Adds Context To The Contract
NHL.com said Dickinson sustained a broken fibula near the ankle bone during the final playoff game against Anaheim. He did not need surgery, and the report said he expects to be healthy for training camp.
The site also framed Dickinson as someone expected to be Edmonton's third-line center and part of the penalty kill. That unit struggled against Anaheim, allowing eight power-play goals in 16 short-handed situations during the series.
Dickinson has 172 points, 79 goals and 93 assists, in 566 NHL regular-season games with Edmonton, Chicago, the Vancouver Canucks and Dallas Stars. He has added 12 points in 44 playoff games.
The contract does not remake Edmonton's top end, but it does answer a practical roster question before July. The Oilers kept a veteran forward they had just traded for, and they did it with a term and cap number now clearly attached.