Brenden Dillon
Age: 35 Position: Defenseman
Statistics: three goals, 12 assists, 15 points (82 games)
Contract: Three years, $12 million (one year remaining)
Grade: C
2025-26 Review
The year started out quite strong for Brenden Dillon. However, as the season aged on, his play declined with it.
The veteran, known to be a defensive defenseman, had strong impacts at five-on-five defensively. Among nine Devils defensemen to play at least three games this season, Dillon’s expected goals against per 60 minutes ranked third. As far as Evolving Hockey’s goals above replacement (GAR) metrics, Dillon’s even strength defensive rating ranked the best on the team. His expected GAR (xGAR) even strength defensive metrics also ranked first among Devils skaters indicating the results he received were well deserved.
If you expanded the lens and compared Dillon league-wide. His GAR even strength defensive rating ranked 69th and xGAR even strength defensive rating ranked 47th. This among 906 skaters.
The issue with Dillon in 2025-26 came elsewhere. His penalty kill impacts are very poor. Among 312 defensemen, Dillon’s GAR shorthanded impact ranked 10th-worst, while his xGAR shorthanded impact ranked fifth-worst. It was a rare down season for Dillon when killing penalties. In addition, as expected, his offensive impacts were not great. His on-ice offensive impacts ranked in the league’s 34th percentile.
The veteran also led the team in hits (202) and was third in blocked shots (103). The 202 hits ranked 21st in the league as a whole. Factoring in that, plus the strong five-on-five defensive metrics, it was not a terrible season by any means. The overall picture just paints a pretty average to below average one, however.
2026-27 Outlook
Dillon is under season for one more year at a $4 million price tag. Due to the dire struggles on the penalty kill, his overall impacts were one of the lowest of his career. When the new league year turns over, his full no-trade clause will shift to a 10-team no-trade list, so it would not be impossible to move him if the Devils choose to do so.
Dillon is one of three established left-handed defenseman New Jersey has. He joins Luke Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler. Prospect Anton Silayev is also rumored to be North American bound at some point. The 6-foot-7 left-handed defenseman will likely need some time in the AHL before making a NHL impact.
Bottom line, if the Devils choose to retain Dillon, there is room for him on the blue line. Regardless, he is entering the last year of his deal.
Note, all statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Evolving Hockey.