Chicago Blackhawks News: Jason Dickinson's injury turns out to be not as bad as previously thought

Jason Dickinson is going to miss some time, but thankfully the Chicago Blackhawks alternate captain is not going to be lost for the season.

Dickinson's left leg took an awkward bend after briefly making contact Vasily Podkolzin.

All interim head coach Anders Sorenson could say after the Hawks' defeat to the Edmonton Oilers is Dickinson's injury did not look good. He was seen in a walking boot after the game.

The way his ankle and leg bent, it looked like he would be lost for the season. Instead, Dickinson is going to miss at least two games with a high ankle sprain.

Dickinson is not scoring goals at a career-high pace like he did last season, but he still is providing outstanding defensive support from the center spot.

He has seven goals and nine assists on the season. His goal production is way down from his career-high 22 last season which earned him a two-year contract extension. Although, the scoring was an added bonus as it was his leadership that really earned him that deal.

Dickinson repeating his outstanding offensive output this season was probably not in the cards. What the Blackhawks will miss while he is out is his leadership on the ice and his two-way game.

Dickinson still has not been put on IR, as more tests will be done. If he does go on injured reserve, then maybe Colton Dach's return to Rockford will be short.

Dach was demoted yesterday after scoring a goal and registering three assists during his first 13 career NHL games. He was sent back to the AHL in part because he was inconsistent with his physicality--a key to his game. Inconsistency is what happens to a rookie trying to break into the NHL.

Dickinson was moved up to the second-line center recently. Frank Nazar skated on the second line in practice today with Philipp Kurashev centering the third line.