Let's talk Brenden Dillon

Tom Fitzgerald is looking "for something" on defense. Could the bruising left-handed defender be that something?

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New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald made the rounds at the scouting combine, delving into his off-season wishlist in interviews with NHL.com and The Athletic.

The most prominent items will come as no surprise to anybody. Fitzgerald talked about his well-documented search for a starting goaltender (although at a price that will allow him to plug other holes) as well as hopes of bolstering the forward core with different elements.

He also snuck in that he’s looking “for something” on the backend. That is a very vague statement but, using our noggins a little bit, it’s probably not hard to put two and two together.

The Devils have an elite play-driving defenseman in Dougie Hamilton. They have mobile, high-ceiling blueliners in Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec. And they roster another smooth-skating defender who, when on, can make good plays with the puck at both ends of the ice in John Marino.

Considering you can argue their four best, or most impactful, defensemen can all skate, move the puck, and make skill plays in the offensive zone, it feels safe to assume the “something” Fitzgerald is looking for has more to do with defense and physicality than offense and puck-moving/transporting.