Should the Detroit Red Wings look to add veteran defenseman Brenden Dillon?

Defenseman Brenden Dillon, formally of the Winnipeg Jets, is set to test the free agent market. Many teams will look to acquire his services because of his track record. The Detroit Red Wings need a defensemen with his attributes and have the cap space to spend. Will we see Dillon on the Red Wings blueline to start the 2024-25 season?

Red Wings may add Dillon to improve defense

One thing the Red Wings lacked last season was consistency with their defensemen. Another was physical play out of their defense as Ben Chiarot led the team with only 56 penalty minutes. Dillon fills both of those voids. He played 77 games last season for Winnipeg, scoring eight goals and 12 assists for 20 points. He was also a +20 and had 92 penalty minutes.At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he brings an intimidating style of play that fits perfectly in what the Red WIngs need.

He plays a regular shift and has been tremendous on the penalty kill. He does everything well and is a reliable and dependable player who has shown he can lead a defense. He was part of a good Jets defense that played a tight, aggressive style that Detroit tried to play last season. Dillon brings that and a style of play that does not see him get beat or out of position. He can also be a top-four defenseman, something Detroit also needs,

Dillon has made the playoffs in nine of 17 seasons and has been excellent during this time of the year. It fits his style of play, which is an aggressive, grind-it-out style. With an addition of Dillon, the Red Wings would have a solid left-side of the defense with Dillon, Jake Walman, and Chiarot. Dillon could take the top-pairing along side Moritz Seider, while Chiarot would slide down to the bottom-pairing, which is suitable for him.

Can the Red Wings afford him? His last contract was a four-year deal for $15.6 million, or an annual average value of $3.9 million. Detroit's projected cap space is $26.797 but they need new contracts for Seider and Lucas Raymond. With that said, there would still be money for Dillon, who would fill a big hole on the second most important position.