The Boston Bruins could probably use a little edginess on their team. The defensive corps is talented but is it physical enough? Can it withstand the rigors of the playoffs when the tension and the aggression increase? In recent playoffs, some would say that Boston gets pushed around by certain heavier opponents. The additions of Andrew Peeke and Parker Wotherspoon have helped but is this more about philosophy change than adding personnel?
One veteran defenseman who would sure be an instant fan favorite is Winnipeg Jets rugged defender Brenden Dillon. Dillon is a 6-foot-4, 220-pound defenseman who hits and plays with an edge that would remind Bruins faithful of former Bruins tough guy Adam McQuaid. Dillon dished out an impressive 241 hits this season while scoring 8 goals with 12 assists as well as a plus-20 in 77 games.
The British Columbia native has played 892 career regular season games and earned 868 penalty minutes. The tough defenseman has doled out 2,169 hits in his 13-year career. Dillon was an undrafted free agent who was signed by the Dallas Stars in March of 2011. He has also been suspended twice, although this year’s suspension for an illegal check was lifted eight days later. What the Bruins could really use from Dillon, however, is his aggressive style. The other left-shot defensemen are Hampus Lindholm, Mason Lohrei, and Parker Wotherspoon. Lindholm and Lohrei are offensively skilled but do not bring the snarl that the Bruins desperately need on the back end.
Dillon’s last contract was a four-year, $15.6 million deal with Washington on October 6, 2020. Dillon is now an unrestricted free agent and reports have emerged that the blue liner will test free agency. Currently, the Bruins have just under $22 million in salary cap space and will need to give goaltender Jeremy Swayman $7-8 million per season. The team also needs a center and a scoring forward. Goalie Linus Ullmark and his $5 million contract are on the trade block as well.
Ultimately, the price might be too high for Boston, but the team should at least explore the option of signing Brenden Dillion to a contract to add some physicality to a defensive corps who could use it.
