Could Canucks Buium Contract Help Sharks With Dickinson’s Next Deal?

The Vancouver Canucks signed Zeev Buium to an 8-year contract extension on Friday. That deal might give the San Jose Sharks a baseline for Sam Dickinson.

While the two players differ in NHL time and production, they are the same age. Both coming from the 2024 NHL Draft, Buium and Dickinson are touted as defensemen who can drive offense. Buium has had more opportunity to produce than Dickinson, especially after he was dealt from the Minnesota Wild to the Canucks.

Buium has played only one full NHL season like Dickinson. But the defenseman signed his ELC with Minnesota at the end of the 24-25 season. By doing that, he burned the first year of his three-year ELC. That’s why Buium could sign an extension this summer, while Dickinson has to wait for now.

Vancouver is betting big on the 20-year-old. An eight-year contract with an AAV of $9.38 million per season. He will be their No. 1 d-man this season and could break out as an NHL star even if the Canucks struggle. While that cap hit doesn’t match what the San Jose Sharks are looking at for Dickinson right now, it might in the future.

Dickinson scored 14 points (1 goal, 13 assists) in 72 games last season for the Sharks. In his career, Buium has 26 points (6 goals, 20 assists) in 76 games. The offensive output is similar; the only difference has been opportunity. In year two, the Sharks should take the metaphorical leash off Dickinson.

Dickinson put up big numbers with the London Knights in the OHL, which helped him get drafted 11th overall, one spot ahead of Buium. In 24-25, Dickinson was London’s superstar, scoring 91 points (29 goals, 62 assists) in 55 games.

Dickinson got next to no power-play ice time during his rookie season for the San Jose Sharks. That easily could change in 26-27. With no clear PP1 or PP2 QB, Dickinson will likely get plenty of opportunity to take one of those roles. Luca Cagnoni is the other top option to earn power-play time, and the battle in training camp will be closely watched.

If Dickinson takes a massive step forward this season and his role as a top-two blueliner for head coach Ryan Warsofsky gets cemented, contract extension talks could revolve around a similar number to what Buium got. No one can predict what will happen in Dickinson’s second season, but there are many outcomes.

Dickinson’s play needs to take a big step forward if he wants to get paid like Buium. The Canucks are betting big on the main piece returning from the Quinn Hughes trade. Dickinson can produce big numbers for the San Jose Sharks; he needs the chance.

Dickinson becomes eligible to sign an extension on July 1, 2027. He can sign a max of seven years. The final day for players to sign eight-year extensions is Sept. 15, 2026, before the new CBA kicks in.