Devils Veteran Denies Blocking Trade After Insider's Report
Friedman said Friday on The FAN Hockey Show that Dillon disputed the report, saying, “He told me that’s not true.”
Friedman explained he had heard that two Devils used their trade protection last season and believed Dillon was one of them, and New Jersey Hockey Now reported Dillon was never asked to waive his clause.
What Was Reported, And What Changed
On Monday, Friedman had said on the same show that Dillon “has some protection and I think he used some of it last year,” without naming a team or a deal.
That comment was picked up widely, and it came as Dillon had been scratched for four straight games under head coach Sheldon Keefe, who said it wasn’t an easy decision to leave a respected veteran out.
CORRECTION: @FriedgeHNIC did correct himself and confirm today that Brendan Dillon did NOT use his trade protection to reject a trade last year. #NJDevils
— Lose For Hughes: A New Jersey Devils Podcast (@lose4hughes) October 23, 2026
Friedman made Friday’s correction while discussing the Hellebuyck trade, and Dillon now shares a locker room with the Devils’ new goalie.
Where Dillon Stands
Dillon is in the final year of a three-year, $12 million contract signed in July 2024 that carries a $4 million cap hit.
His full no-trade clause covered the first two seasons and became a 10-team no-trade list this season.
Last season, the 35-year-old recorded three goals, 15 total points, a -13 plus/minus rating, and 103 blocked shots and 202 hits across a full 82 games.
Brenden Dillon reportedly vetoed a trade out of New Jersey last season using his trade protection, per @FriedgeHNIC (h/t: @lose4hughes ) https://t.co/BPTS2z6bii
— Devils Fanatics (@devilsfanatics) October 19, 2026
He has said it’s an honor to play for the Devils, and he has fallen down the depth chart since Sunny Mehta became general manager this summer, with Keefe citing a bigger workload for Johnathan Kovacevic and developing Declan Chisholm.
