News broke from the New Jersey Devils as Brenden Dillon signs a new contract. The veteran blueliner has spent the last three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. This contract is for around $12 million for the next three seasons. The deal runs until the end of the 2027-28 season and carries and average cap hit of around $4 million per season.
**Breaking News** 🚨 📰
I’m told the @NJDevils will be adding D Dillon as well as D Pesce to bolster their Corps. #NJDevils #HockeyX pic.twitter.com/S2W3ZuwRCl— Kevin Weekes (@KevinWeekes) July 1, 2024
Brenden Dillon Signs New Contract
Dillon has played for the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and the Jets in over his 13-year NHL career. The New Westminster, British Columbia scored eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points in 77 games played this season. He had a Corsi for of 43.1 and a relative Corsi of -10.1.
The 33-year-old has 37 goals and 159 assists for 196 points in 892 career games. Dillon signed as an undrafted free agent with the Stars in March 2011. He played four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL before earning a pro contract with Dallas. The veteran blueliner got a career-high in goals with eight this season. His previous best was six in the 2013-14 campaign with the Stars.
He’s also represented Canada at the international level at the 2013 IIHF World Championships. Team Canada placed fifth in that tournament, where Dillon scored one goal.
What It Means
Dillon was still a more than capable blueliner with the Jets this season. However, there are always concerns with a defenceman in their thirties. He did miss time in the Stanley Cup Playoffs with a lacerated hand. The cut occurred in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Colorado Avalanche.
He is a a big body at 6-foot, 4-inches and 220 pounds. Dillon has been pretty solid on the defensive end and the points were a bonus this season for the Jets. He’s also a veteran presence in the locker room and can probably guide a number of young blueliners through the rigors of a season.
The Devils continue to make improvements to their blueline. A new look Devils defence could cause issues in the Metropolitan Division.
Main photo by: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
