Johnathan Kovacevic returned to play in the New Jersey Devils' last game -- a 5-4 overtime victory against the Detroit Red Wings -- and, with that, veteran defensive defenseman Brenden Dillon ended up riding the bench in the affair. With that transaction, newcomer Declan Chisholm slid back to his natural side, partnering up with the newly returned Kovacevic.
On Thursday night, against the Devils' biggest rivals, New Jersey is making the same call. And they're correct to do so.
Brenden Dillon has played his way out of the New Jersey Devils' lineup
The reality is, the Devils are a new-look team this season. Their forward corps improved its depth tremendously, with four lines built to contribute with their speed and skill. They have three new coaches behind the bench and a system more focused on playing up-tempo hockey. Their defense, finally fully healthy, needs to be able to support that as best they can.
With that in mind, Dillon is naturally the odd-man out. Not only is he the oldest and slowest of the bunch, but his on-ice numbers through the team's first five games were the worst among regulars. His expected goal share (xGF%) of 50.8% looks good on paper, but relative to the rest of the team, it left quite a bit to be desired. In fact, he's the only defenseman to have played to below a 55% xGF%. And with a team that's struggling to score despite those numbers, they need all the opportunities they can get offensively.
There's no denying the physical edge he can bring on a nightly basis, nor is there a soul who would fight the notion that he is a beloved member of the team and locker room. He stands up for his teammates when called upon to do so; he is a loud, positive voice for the team, and he embodies everything the Devils should want to be about.
That said, winning is the best culture, and unfortunately, as it stands, the best chance the team has at winning hockey games comes when Dillon is the odd-man out. That isn't to say he doesn't have value or is not a solid bottom-pair defenseman -- he does, and he is -- but he's the seventh-best defenseman on a team icing six blueliners.
Assuming everyone stays put and stays healthy, the defense group should be what it currently is for the rest of the season, line blender notwithstanding.
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