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Capitals acquire defenseman Brenden Dillon from San Jose Sharks for draft picks

By Ian Oland

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February 18, 2020 4:07 pm

The Washington Capitals have upgraded their defense for the stretch run, six days before the NHL trade deadline.

At 3:45 PM, the Capitals announced that they acquired veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon from the San Jose Sharks for a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional third-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft.

“Brenden is an experienced defenseman who plays a solid defensive game with a high compete level and physicality,” general manager Brian MacLellan said in a release. “We felt it was important for us to add a player of his caliber to our defensive group.”

Dillon is in the final year of a five-year, $16.35 deal he originally signed in June 2015.

The San Jose Sharks will retain 50 percent of Dillon’s $3.27 million salary and cap hit. The Capitals will give San Jose a third-round pick in 2020 instead of 2021 if they win the Stanley Cup this season.

The 29-year-old defenseman is big (6’4”, 225-pound) and experienced (9 years pro) and eats a lot of minutes (19:22 per game). He also is a sturdy penalty killer, receiving 2:02 minutes per game (third most on the Sharks).

And oh yeah, he can throw the body.

Think of him like Nick Jensen – but more physical.

According to Fear The Fin, the SB Nation blog dedicated to the Sharks, Dillon has had a strong year.

Dillon is one of the few bright spots on the Sharks this season, having provided 4 Goals Above Replacement to date (per Evolving -Hockey’s model) and ranking fourth on the team in the metric. With his situational versatility, his penalty-killing, his ability to play on either side of a pairing and his physicality, Dillon is one of the most attractive players across the league to deadline-day suitors and should command a decent return.

Last night, Dillon was asked by Sharks media if Monday’s game against the Panthers was his last with San Jose.

“I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. For us, I like being here,” Dillon said as he began crying. “I try to play hard every night. It’s out of my control. Excuse me.”

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Dillon will wear number four for the Capitals.

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ARLINGTON, Va. – The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Brenden Dillon from the San Jose Sharks for a 2020 second round pick (originally acquired from Colorado) and a conditional 2021 third round pick, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. In addition, San Jose has agreed to retain 50 percent of Dillon’s salary and cap hit.

Dillon, 29, a native of New Westminster, B.C., recorded 14 points (1g, 13a) in 59 games with the Sharks, nearly on pace for his third consecutive season with at least 20 points. The 6’4”, 225-pound defenseman’s 51.70 shot attempt percentage (899 shot attempts for, 840 against) ranked second among San Jose defensemen at five-on-five. Dillon’s 2:02 minutes per game on the penalty kill ranked third among San Jose defensemen. Additionally, Dillon was on the ice for 40 goals at five-on-five, the third most on the Sharks this season. Dillon led the Sharks in hits (178) – the ninth most in the NHL – and ranked fourth in blocked shots (67). His 19:22 TOI per game ranked fifth on San Jose and marks his highest TOI per game since the 2014-15 season (19:34).

Since his first season with San Jose (2014-15), Dillon is tied for the most playoff games played (60). During the 2016 Stanley Cup playoffs, Dillon helped lead San Jose to their first ever appearance in the Stanley Cup Final. Dillon averaged 15:09 TOI per game and ranked second on the team with 72 hits.

In 588 career games with San Jose and the Dallas Stars, Dillon has collected 114 points (22g, 92a). Dillon was signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent on March 1, 2011.

Prior to the NHL, Dillon appeared in 123 games with the Texas Stars (AHL), recording 43 points (9g, 34a). Additionally, Dillon played four seasons with the Seattle Thunderbirds in the WHL, serving as captain during the 2010-11 season and finished with 94 points (11g, 83a) in 280 games.

Internationally, Dillon appeared in the 2013 World Championship for Team Canada, recording a goal in eight games.

Headline photo courtesy of @NBCSSharks

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