Brenden Dillon The Winnipeg Jets will be without defenceman Brenden Dillon for three games as a result of a suspension for his hit on Pittsburgh forward Noel Acciari on Tuesday night. The big defender will be forced to sit three games thanks to the decision by the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Wednesday. The Jets were prepared for the outcome and had Dillon skating as a member of the fourth pair alongside extra forward Dominic Toninato at Wednesday's practice in Philadelphia. He will miss Thursday's tilt with the Flyers, Saturday's game against Pittsburgh and Wednesday's contest against the visiting San Jose Sharks. Dillon has previously been suspended on one occasion - a December 2017 slash to Washington's Madison Bowey - but is not considered a 'repeat offender' thanks to the duration of time playing clean hockey between his bans. According to the DOPS, Dillon made contact first with Acciai's head, while his illegal contact created an injury. Those contributing factors led to the decision to ban him for three games. Thanks to his check on Pittsburgh's Noel Acciari, Dillon will be making a $60,937.50 donation to the NHL's Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund - the amount determined by the DOPS and the annual average value of his contract. Dillon will be eligible to return from suspension on Saturday, February 17 against the Vancouver Canucks.
