Brenden Dillon headed for a split with the Winnipeg Jets.
The end appears to be near for Dillon and the Winnipeg Jets as free agency opens.
It appears as though teams in the National Hockey League looking to add some size and physicality to their blue line this summer will have one more option available to them.
Although he has became a mainstay of the Winnipeg Jets blue line over the course of the past 3 seasons, it appears as though veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon and the Jets are destined for a parting of ways. Although things could still change before free agency officially opens up on July 1st, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman recently revealed that Dillon's time in Winnipeg is likely over.
"I just heard he's going to free agency," revealed Friedman on Sunday's 32 Thoughts Podcast. "I think there were some conversations between him and the Jets and you never rule anything out.. but I don't think there's gonna be any re-signing with Winnipeg before the window opens, so I expect Dillon to hit the market."
It makes sense to see Dillon test the open market given that the NHL's salary cap will see a significant increase this season, and the high demand that is expected for defensemen this summer from around the league.
"It appears to be a very good market for defensemen," admitted Friedman.
That will be good news for Dillon who showed a more offensive side to his game this season, on top of the physical elements to his game that will already have him in high demand. Dillon scored a career high 8 goals for the Jets this season and added 12 assists for a total of 20 points on the season.
Dillon has shown a willingness to defend himself and his teammates by dropping the gloves throughout his NHL career and that as well will likely prove to be an asset with several NHL teams looking to beef up their lineups following the success of more physical playoff teams like the Florida Panthers in recent Stanley Cup playoffs.
