Surrey鈥檚 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.
鈥淚 got to be honest, there鈥檚 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鈥檝e had the opportunity,鈥� said Dillon. 鈥淪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.
鈥淚 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鈥檝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鈥檚 going to transpire over the next little bit.鈥�
Dillon has had an outstanding career for someone who wasn鈥檛 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 鈥� 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.
鈥淚 haven鈥檛 won yet. I鈥檝e gotten close. I鈥檝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鈥檙e playing, it truly is the best time of year.
鈥淚 think a big part of me needs to be on a competitive team. I know the role I鈥檓 going to play and it will be nice to feel valued and to know where you鈥檙e at on that specific team. Those are my two biggest things. I鈥檝e been fortunate. I鈥檓 at the point in my career where I鈥檓 not looking for the biggest payday. Of course, you want to have a fair value contract for what you鈥檙e able to provide.鈥�
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.
鈥淚 drive by Rogers Arena every day coming home from the gym. It鈥檚 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鈥 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鈥檓 completely open to it. We鈥檒l see what July 1 brings in terms of opportunities and who knows?鈥� 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.
鈥淵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鈥檙e feeling,鈥� said the 33-year-old.
鈥淭here鈥檚 lots of expectations that come with playing in Canada. There鈥檚 the excitement of when things are going well, yet at the same time, you鈥檙e under a microscope and you really get to experience what you mean to that city and what you mean to hockey in Canada.鈥�
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鈥檚 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鈥檚 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鈥檚 wedding season.
Then there鈥檚 the rehab on the lacerated hand that required 15 stitches to close and ended his post-season.
鈥淚t鈥檚 probably about 95% now. I鈥檝e only golfed once, unfortunately, because I was a little scared and I don鈥檛 want to mess with it. I went on the ice last week just to feel how it feels and it was okay,鈥� Dillon said with a chuckle.
The next couple of weeks will be interesting for Dillon but he鈥檚 excited to see how it plays out.
鈥淪eeing whatever fits in terms of my role and where the team鈥檚 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鈥檚 pretty cool. I want to be part of something special like that,鈥� 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 鈥渢he Moj鈥� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
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