SAN JOSE – The Sharks’ decision on whether to keep Sam Dickinson on the roster past this month is imminent, as the rookie defenseman will play his ninth game of the season on Thursday when San Jose plays the New Jersey Devils at SAP Center.

If the Sharks play Dickinson in a 10th game this season, the first year of his entry-level contract will begin. Dickinson will then have to be on the Sharks’ roster for 40 games before he can accrue a year toward unrestricted free agency.

If the Sharks decide not to keep Dickinson, he would be loaned back to his major junior team, the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League.

After Thursday, the Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday and the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday to finish their four-game homestand.

Dickinson, 19, has pl

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