The Boston Bruins and Carolina Hurricanes are on a list of teams interested in San Jose Sharks defenseman Brenden Dillon, reports TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
Dillon is a throwback. He's recorded just 12 points in 51 games this season, but the 29-year-old is second among NHL blue-liners with 158 hits.
The 6-foot-4, 225-pound D-man has managed to post positive possession numbers on a poor Sharks team, owning a 51.5 Corsi For percentage and a 50.4 expected goals percentage, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Dillon carries a $3.27-million cap hit, and he'll be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
The Bruins' blue line is already strong, especially on the left side where Dillon plays. Left-handers Torey Krug and Zdeno Chara eat up a lot of minutes, and Matt Grzelcyk is on pace for a career-high in points. Right-handers Connor Clifton and Kevan Miller are currently sidelined with injuries, but both are expected back this season.
The Hurricanes appear to more urgently need reinforcements on the back end, as stalwart Dougie Hamilton is out indefinitely after breaking his fibula on Jan. 26. However, unlike the Bruins - who hold a comfortable lead in the Atlantic Division - Carolina is in a tight playoff battle. The Hurricanes are a point up on the Philadelphia Flyers for the East's second wild-card spot.
The Sharks sit third last in the Western Conference, and they don't own a first-round pick in 2020. They appear to be gearing up to sell at the trade deadline for just the second time since general manager Doug Wilson was hired in 2003.
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