Surrey乌鸦传媒檚 Brendan Dillon is going through a range of emotions.
Coming off is 12th season in the NHL, the veteran defenceman will become an unrestricted free agent for the first time on July 1.
乌鸦传媒淚 got to be honest, there乌鸦传媒檚 a little bit of everything. When you think about it, I have almost been too big of a wuss to go to free agency the last couple times I乌鸦传媒檝e had the opportunity,乌鸦传媒� said Dillon. 乌鸦传媒淪an Jose was a great fit for me and I obviously loved it as we had some success there as a group, so I stayed. The same with Washington. From the moment I got there and was offered a deal to stay, I enjoyed it.
乌鸦传媒淚 was traded to Winnipeg during the season and we had some early playoff exits, but overall, it was a really good group of guys and I had a lot of fun. I乌鸦传媒檝e never closed the door on a return but you need two to tango. But for now, with the anxiety, stress and whatnot of the business side, you definitely look forward to see what乌鸦传媒檚 going to transpire over the next little bit.乌鸦传媒�
Dillon has had an outstanding career for someone who wasn乌鸦传媒檛 chosen in the WHL Bantam Draft or the NHL Entry Draft.
A solid stay-at-home gritty defenceman, he has had to earn an opportunity at every level but has managed to play in 892 NHL games to date. The Surrey Minor Hockey product is 108 games away from joining the 1,000 games played club 乌鸦传媒� a milestone only 398 players have achieved in the history of the NHL.
But there is one thing that has eluded him thus far: The Stanley Cup.
Dillon got close in 2016 when his San Jose Sharks made the Cup finals only to lose to the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games.
Being on a team that has a shot to win it all will be one of the criteria that will have to be met come July 1.
乌鸦传媒淚 haven乌鸦传媒檛 won yet. I乌鸦传媒檝e gotten close. I乌鸦传媒檝e been fortunate to be part of some incredible teams with San Jose. It was just the expectation that we had from training camp on - it was Cup or bust. I was fortunate to go to the finals and to go to the conference finals and to play some meaningful hockey. When you乌鸦传媒檙e playing, it truly is the best time of year.
乌鸦传媒淚 think a big part of me needs to be on a competitive team. I know the role I乌鸦传媒檓 going to play and it will be nice to feel valued and to know where you乌鸦传媒檙e at on that specific team. Those are my two biggest things. I乌鸦传媒檝e been fortunate. I乌鸦传媒檓 at the point in my career where I乌鸦传媒檓 not looking for the biggest payday. Of course, you want to have a fair value contract for what you乌鸦传媒檙e able to provide.乌鸦传媒�
Then there is the potential of playing for the Canucks.
Dillon grew up a Canuck fan and would love to play for his hometown team. He and his family have an off-season home here and finishing his career in Vancouver would be ideal.
乌鸦传媒淚 drive by Rogers Arena every day coming home from the gym. It乌鸦传媒檚 hard to beat when you see the sun shining on a Vancouver summer day to not want to be here. The team and to see the success they had this season乌鸦传媒 think back in 2011 I was one of those guys down on Granville Street buzzing around with my buddies and cheering on the Canucks. I乌鸦传媒檓 completely open to it. We乌鸦传媒檒l see what July 1 brings in terms of opportunities and who knows?乌鸦传媒� explained Dillon
During his time with the Sharks, Dillon got a taste of hockey in Vancouver two to three times a year for six seasons.
乌鸦传媒淵ou kind of saw how exciting that was. I got more than enough buddies that I just have to text and ask how the Canucks are doing to get the full breakdown on the roster and what they乌鸦传媒檙e feeling,乌鸦传媒� said the 33-year-old.
乌鸦传媒淭here乌鸦传媒檚 lots of expectations that come with playing in Canada. There乌鸦传媒檚 the excitement of when things are going well, yet at the same time, you乌鸦传媒檙e under a microscope and you really get to experience what you mean to that city and what you mean to hockey in Canada.乌鸦传媒�
As far as the Canucks organization is concerned, they will be looking for a defenceman with the impending departure of Nikita Zadorov and Dillon is on their radar.
Reports indicate Dillon and his representatives from Newport Sports Management will be looking at $3.5 million per while the Canucks would like that number closer to $3 million.
It乌鸦传媒檚 been a busy summer for Dillon and his family. There was a week-long trip to Disney World with his wife Emma and two-year-old daughter Elton which occurred during a heat wave. He乌鸦传媒檚 also had to deal with the transition of a rental property Canuck farmhand and former Sharks teammate Matt Irwin was utilizing this season. And, of course, it乌鸦传媒檚 wedding season.
Then there乌鸦传媒檚 the rehab on the lacerated hand that required 15 stitches to close and ended his post-season.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 probably about 95% now. I乌鸦传媒檝e only golfed once, unfortunately, because I was a little scared and I don乌鸦传媒檛 want to mess with it. I went on the ice last week just to feel how it feels and it was okay,乌鸦传媒� Dillon said with a chuckle.
The next couple of weeks will be interesting for Dillon but he乌鸦传媒檚 excited to see how it plays out.
乌鸦传媒淪eeing whatever fits in terms of my role and where the team乌鸦传媒檚 at, I think, is going to be the biggest thing. I just I want to win. I want to be a part of something special. I got to play with the Tyler Toffoli this year and even buddies in the past that have won and you see their 10-year reunions and stuff like that, it乌鸦传媒檚 pretty cool. I want to be part of something special like that,乌鸦传媒� said Dillon.
The decision he makes on July 1 will go a long way in determining whether or not he does.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 乌鸦传媒渢he Moj乌鸦传媒� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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