The final two San Jose Sharks preseason games will be a prove-it ground for top prospect Sam Dickinson.
The 2025 Sharks preseason is the second Dickinson has participated in, but this time, there’s a legit chance for him to make the opening night roster.
Dickinson has played a lot of hockey since the 2024 preseason. He’s using a similar approach this season, but has better expectations.
“I’ve been lucky to stick around as long as I have. [I’m just] trying to keep it low key. Remember, there’s still a long way to go for myself and with what’s next,” Dickinson said. “[I’m] keeping it even keel, and just taking things day by day, and going from there.”
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In three games this preseason, Dickinson has two assists. He is also a plus 1. During training camp, Vincent Desharnais has been his partner. With a consistent d-partner, the 19-year-old can find chemistry, allowing him to be more successful on the ice.
“It’s been great. [I’ve] been lucky to be paired with him. He’s helped me a lot to just get comfortable on the ice,” Dickinson said. “He’s a guy who always talks [and is] always looking out for me on the ice.”
Tonight’s matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights will be a tough test for Dickinson and the rest of the San Jose Sharks’ youngsters. The Golden Knights are playing their final preseason game of 2025, so they are dressing what appears to be their opening night lineup.
Lines at morning skate before the final (thank God) preseason game of the year.
Barbashev-Eichel-Marner
Smith-Karlsson-Stone
Saad-Hertl-Holtz
Howden-Sissons-Kolesar
McNabb-Theodore
Hanifin-Whitecloud
Lauzon-Korczak
Hill
Schmid— SinBin.vegas (@SinBinVegas) October 3, 2025
Warsofsky feels Dickinson is learning how to be an NHL Defenseman
Becoming a full-time NHL defenseman at 19 years old is no small feat. San Jose Sharks head coach Ryan Warsofsky has the task of ensuring that Dickinson develops properly.
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Through two weeks of training camp, Warsofsky has seen great improvement from Dickinson. Specifically, Warsofsky has seen improvement from Dickinson regarding the breakout.
“I think he’s learning the position more than he has ever has. Last year, for example, he didn’t really understand how to use a net on a breakout. The net is your friend when you try to break out a puck. Now he understands that,” Warsofsky said. “He knows positioning. Is he going to make mistakes? Yep, he’s a young defenseman. He’s getting more and more comfortable with the speed of the game. He’s seeing, [and] reading the game, the numbers, a lot better than he was last year.”
Warsofsky has Dickinson on the top power-play unit against Vegas on Friday. Dickinson’s calling card from the blue line has always been his offense. Luca Cagnoni, who shares a similar skill as an offensive defenseman, will run the second unit.
#SJSharks power-play lines:
Dickinson-Smith-Misa-Lund-Musty
Cagnoni-Graf-Cardwell-Afanasyev-Regenda— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) October 3, 2025
“We’ve got to get him feeling the puck and playing the offensive blue line. I think he’s got it in him,” Warsofsky said. “We’re trying to drive some offense out of him, is really what it comes down to.”
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John Klingberg has been the top power-play QB for the Sharks, but with a younger lineup on Friday, this could be Dickinson’s best chance to showcase his best skill.
Dickinson will need to outperform Jack Thompson and potentially his d-partner in Desharnais to make the opening night roster. Both Thompson and Desharnais are eligible for waivers, making the Sharks’ decision tougher.
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