NHL Rumors: Sharks Considering Sending Sam Dickinson To The World Juniors
San Jose sending Michael Misa to Team Canada feels like a pretty obvious move.
Now, Sam Dickinson is the one everyone is watching now.
On paper, Dickinson checks every box for Canada. He is 19, he has another year of eligibility, and he has already been there.
His 2024-25 junior season was fantastic. He won the OHL Defenseman of the Year, the CHL Defenseman of the Year, the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup, and was also named the San Jose Sharks' Prospect of the Year.
Not to mention, Dickinson set a London Knights record for points by a defenseman with 91 (29 goals & 62 assists). In the playoffs, he added another nine goals and 31 total points over just 17 games.
SAM DICKINSON 🦈
— NHL (@NHL) November 3, 2025
He ties it late in the third with his first NHL goal! pic.twitter.com/tBlDHPrwJy
Dale Hunter, Team Canada's head coach, coached him for three seasons during his time with the London Knights.
He had two assists in five games at the World Junior tournament last year. If this was only about development, it would be easy to picture him logging huge minutes, running a power play, and playing for a coach he knows well.
Why Sam Dickinson might stay with the Sharks
Ryan Warsofsky has been open that he and Mike Grier have talked about it, but they have not committed either way. Dickinson is still with the NHL club and Team Canada’s camp runs toward Dec. 22, with the tournament starting Dec. 26.
What makes it more interesting is Dickinson was a healthy scratch in the Sharks' most recent win over Calgary. Warsofsky framed it as a reset, basically a breather because playing defense in the NHL at 19 is a lot.
Warsofsky confirmed that the #SJSharks have discussed sending Dickinson to the World Juniors but no decision has been made yet
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) December 17, 2025
He's played 26 of the San Jose's 34 games so far this season. So even though he is not playing every night right now, the Sharks can still look at him and say this is the environment we want him living in.
The other part is Warsofsky’s concern about habits. The Sharks like what the NHL is forcing Dickinson to learn. When you are a top dog at a lower level, you can sometimes get away with stuff that stops working the second you are back in the NHL. San Jose is clearly trying to stamp out the little things now, even if it means he sits some nights and watches.
Why Team Canada is still tempting for Dickinson
If the Sharks do loan him, it's big reponsibility for the 19-year-old. Dickinson would touch the puck constantly, play big minutes, and likely be leaned on in every situation for what looks like a very talented Team Canada.
Warsofsky on the pros and cons of loaning Sam Dickinson to the Canadian World Junior team.
— Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) December 17, 2025
"(Mike Grier and I have) talked about it. I think you want to continue to preach the habits that we need to play with at this level, and I think you can get away with some things when…
That can be huge for his confidence and leadership, while also getting a shot at redemption after Canada’s early exit last year.
Time's running out to make a decision, and with his most recent healthy scratch, it'll be fascinating to see what the Sharks decide to do with their 11th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.
Photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
