Jason Dickinson officially played his first game under head coach Kris Knoblauch tonight, but the Edmonton Oilers didn’t treat their new player very well.
The team gave up important players at the trade deadline to get him because they really needed a good defensive center for the tough games ahead.
However, the coaches hardly played him against the Carolina Hurricanes. He ended up with the second-lowest amount of time on the ice during even-strength play among all forwards.
This kind of treatment looks really bad for a team that claimed they needed his skills. You don’t bring in a defensive expert just to leave him sitting out.
Throughout his NHL career, the 30-year-old player has earned a strong name for managing tough challenges. He often stops some of the best offensive players in the game.
Dickinson has already been treated poorly.
With 13 points in 48 games this season, he offers the toughness that Edmonton really needs. His strong play should help take a lot of pressure off the main scoring players.
Keeping him stuck on the bench only hurts his confidence in a new team.
Knoblauch had said he wanted a dependable center to take on tough face-offs in the defensive zone. Not playing him during even-strength situations goes totally against that plan.
Dickinson didn’t score during his short appearances last night. It’s hard to find a rhythm when you barely get any playing time.
The team cannot waste a $4.25 million salary on someone who just sits and watches. In the Western Conference playoff chase, every forward needs to contribute every night.
The Oilers need to use his physical style of play regularly and quickly. The current way of coaching is a sure way to get knocked out of the playoffs early.
Also read on Skysportsuk.com:
A reporter puts Kris Knoblauch in a tough situation, and things become uncomfortable quickly.
Leave a Reply