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The New Jersey Devils are bolstering their back end with two veteran defensemen as NHL free agency opens.
The Devils are expected to sign Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Brenden Dillon, sources told ESPN on Monday.
Pesce, 29, was one of the most coveted defensive defensemen on the open market, but one who has also pitched in offensively. He's expected to sign a six-year deal worth $5.5 million annually against the salary cap. His previous deal with the Hurricanes carried a $4.025 million cap hit.
A native of Tarrytown, New York, Pesce finished with 13 points in 70 games last season, averaging 20:17 in ice time.
Dillon, 33, is a 6-foot-4 physical defenseman who will be entering his 14th NHL season. He has played for the Dallas Stars, San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals and the Jets for the past three seasons. A source told ESPN that his deal is for three years with a $4 million average annual value.
Terms on his deal were not yet available. Dillon would seem to fill the hole created when the Devils traded defenseman Kevin Bahl to the Calgary Flames for goaltender Jacob Markstrom.
Pesce and Dillon join outstanding young defensemen in Calder finalists Luke Hughes and Simon Nemec as well as veterans Dougie Hamilton and Jonas Siegenthaler. They'll play in front of a revamped goaltending tandem in Markstrom and Jake Allen for new coach Sheldon Keefe.