Blades of Teal
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San Jose Sharks Report Cards: The Dynamic Defense

By Michael Gutnick

SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 31: An overhead view of the San Jose Sharks bench as they face the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on March 31, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA - MARCH 31: An overhead view of the San Jose Sharks bench as they face the Calgary Flames at SAP Center on March 31, 2019 in San Jose, California (Photo by Brandon Magnus/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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San Jose Sharks Brendan Dillon checks Nolan into the boards
SAN JOSE, CA – JANUARY 03: Brenden Dillon #4 of the San Jose Sharks collides with Jordan Nolan #71 of the Los Angeles Kings at SAP Center on January 3, 2017 in San Jose, California. (Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images) /

Brenden Dillon

Grade: B+

Dilly, Dilly! Brenden Dillon put together the best season of his career.

He only found the back of the net once, but that one tally was the short-handed spark that kick-started the comeback against the Nashville Predators on the road, which was one of the best games of the regular season.

Dillon posted a career-high 21 assists and +19 plus/minus rating. Partnering with Karlsson was the right move. Dillon’s skating improvement was noticeable keeping up with faster players and making smarter plays. Dillon was able to lay out timely hits and feed the puck for nimble transitions out of the defensive zone.

The careless penalties are a small dent into his grade, but overall, Dillon has blossomed into a foundation that the Sharks can rely on No. 4 to support his teammates no matter the situation..

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