Brenden Dillon is a uniquely wordy hockey player. He’s revealing and expansive in interviews with the press. And he brings that communication onto the rink too.

Several days ago, the Capitals mic’d up their trade deadline acquisition before Game One of their first-round series against the New York Islanders. During drills, Dillon can be heard commanding play behind the net, which then in turn helps speed up breakouts.

Take a look.

Video

The video makes clear that Dillon is a vocal leader out on the ice. And a recent bad goal against shows how important good communication is.

During a Capitals power play against the Isles in Game One, Braden Holtby misplayed a dump-in and turned the puck over. It ended up in the back of his net.

“The shorthanded goal was just miscommunication,” Holtby said. “I think I was fighting for it in the ceiling and then didn’t realize that there wasn’t much time there. I should have just held on it. I thought there was more time. That was something you don’t want it to happen. It was kind of a weird play.”

Screenshot courtesy of @Capitals