Stars' Dillon on missing training camp due to contract negotiations: 'it sucks'

The Dallas Stars began training camp without Cody Eakin or Brenden Dillon as the two restricted free agents continue to negotiate new contracts.

Dillon is preparing for the season by skating with the WHL's Vancouver Giants, waiting for his agent to reach a deal with the Stars. The stay-at-home defenseman wants to rejoin his teammates as soon as possible.

"It is what it is and this is the part of the game that I can’t really control and that’s why, as players you have to trust in your agent," Dillon told the Vancouver Sun. "Hopefully things are going to get closer and closer and then eventually get done. I’ve been in contact with the guys in Dallas, the texting, the calls, and, you know, it sucks. You wish you could have been down there a month ago, or whatever."

Dillon was one of three Dallas players to average over 20 minutes of ice-time last season, when he earned $900,000 in the final year of his entry-level contract. He doesn't think of his situation as a holdout, but rather a process of establishing his value in the market compared to similar players.

Dillon and his agent could be looking at Danny DeKeyser of the Detroit Red Wings for comparison. Detroit signed the restricted free agent blue-liner to a two-year deal worth $4.375 million prior to the start of training camp.

The Stars have five defensemen under NHL contracts and will need to sign Dillon, or another player for depth purposes, regardless of whether or not 2011 first-round pick Jamie Oleksiak earns a regular roster spot.