Q&A with Dillon
What’s it like playing so many different partners during a season?
Between injuries and an 82-game season you’re going to play with different roles, different partners, left side, right side. For myself, that’s been my role for my career. Whether it’s adapting, babysitting once in a while, letting these offensive guys do their thing. For a guy like Seamus (Casey), he brings a lot of skill, a young guy that’s excited to be here, to affect the game positively, confident. We can see how he affects the game on the power play. Breaking pucks out on the O zone blue line. I’ve had a bunch of different partners here in the last couple of weeks. We’ve got six games left before the real thing gets going. I’m just trying to build some chemistry anyway I can.
What’s it like playing with young offensive-minded defensemen?
It’s fun. It’s exciting. For me I was once that young guy trying to get established in the league. For me, whatever way I can help them, whether D zone faceoffs or certain scenarios in the neutral zone, I think that’s something when you’re a young offensive player you forget that you have to get the puck first, or you have to be reliable first before you can let your offensive side of things shine. That’s what I try to bring is that defensive physicality, aggressive, make sure they can feel like they have confidence out there against bigger guys. At the same time, I think I can skate well enough to compliment their game. I’ve been very fortunate between the Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, John Carlson, over the years to play with some high-end offensive guys. I try to give them as much feedback as I can. Help them in any way I can. And be a voice if they have any questions. I try to be the best guy I can to help them feel comfortable in any situation.
On being a veteran leader.
It’s a role that I’ve adapted into and understood. I was so lucky as a young guy to have amazing veteran players and leaders help me. That’s how you pay it forward. I love this league. I love this team. I’m so happy every day. To be in the National Hockey League. It’s an honor and a privilege whether it’s a practice or a game. As a young guy they may think they’re going to be here, but it doesn’t work like that. There are millions of kids that want to be in your role. You need to work at it, show your work ethic, show your commitment to learning whatever the coach wants you to work on. For a lot of these offensive guys, it’s the defensive side of the puck, it’s not having the puck on your stick. When they do get it, they’re so good with it. To be able to affect them and have fun with them, my role with these guys, I feel I have great relationships with every D man on the team, with every player on the team. I feel I’m a guy they can feel comfortable coming to and I pride myself on that.
