Devils’ Brenden Dillon Reflects on Free Agency & Why He Chose New Jersey

On July 1, Brenden Dillon tested the market as an unrestricted free agent (UFA) for the first time in his 13-year career.

On a recent episode of The Hockey PDOcast , he told podcast host Dimitri Filipovic about his experience.

"It is craziness," Dillon said with a laugh. "This was my first time testing the UFA market. You hear some horror stories about free agency and some super successful ones, and I am sure that in any facet of business, you want to try and hope that you experience the more positive ones.

"You are anxious. You are stressed. You are also excited at the same time," he continued.

Dillon confirmed New Jersey had previously had interest in him at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline, but because Winnipeg was preparing for a playoff run, they kept the 6-foot-4 defenseman.

From a distance, Dillon saw the Devils acquire goaltender Jacob Markstrom and hire head coach Sheldon Keefe. Like the rest of us, he heard the rumors of the team signing defenseman Brett Pesce.

He saw the excitement that surrounded the organization, and it was something he knew he wanted to be part of.

"I want to be part of something special."

Of course, New Jersey was not the only team interested in the defenseman's services. He explained that a lot of the teams came in similarly regarding numbers and terms, but he ultimately decided that New Jersey was the right choice.

Like most players, Dillon wanted to sign with a team that allows him to compete for the Stanley Cup; New Jersey's commitment to winning was one of its most significant selling points.

"From talking to some of the guys on the team, there is no shortage of commitment to win in the New Jersey Devils organization," he said during his introductory availability with Devils media. "It starts at the top. Ownership set that tone. (General manager) Tom Fitzgerald set that tone."

Another box on Dillon's checklist was finding an organization where he could play a valuable team role.

Fitzgerald has spoken about wanting his team to be bigger, more physical, and harder to play against, making the native of New Westminster, British Columbia, a perfect free-agent target.

"I bring that hard to play against, that below the goal line, front of the net is not going to be an easy place to come to. Being a presence on the ice," he said. "I just want my teammates to feel like they know that someone has got their back.

"We have so much speed and skill and that physicality and compete. I feel I can bring those intangibles to be able to help us win those hockey games," he continued. "Those tight games, those skilled games. You're going to need to win all different types of ways. I feel like I can be a big piece for us."

Over 13 seasons, Dillon has appeared in 892 career games. He's averaged nearly 19 minutes of ice time per game and last season scored a career-high eight goals. The 33-year-old has amassed 2,169 hits and 1,181 blocked shots and is unafraid of sacrificing his body.

Dillon joins a blue line that includes Jonas Siegenthaler, Dougie Hamilton , Luke Hughes, Brett Pesce, and Simon Nemec. Fitzgerald also has defensive depth with Johnathan Kovacevic, Nick DeSimone , and Colton White.

Dillon will wear number 5 for New Jersey during the 2024-25 season. Devils fans will be able to get their first look at him in red and black when the club's preseason schedule begins in late September.

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