In the 1971 Amateur Draft, Dionne was Detroit's first pick, and second overall to Montreal's Guy Lafleur. He was also named to the All Star Team in 1970 and 1971. Dionne's first four years were spent with the Detroit Red Wings, playing 309 games with 366 points. In his rookie year he set a record with 77 points, but did not win the Calder Trophy, finishing behind Ken Dryden and Richard Martin in the voting. In 1974-75 Dionne notched 121 points, 3rd behind Bobby Orr and Phil Esposito, but this year he won the Lady Byng and repeated the feat in 1979-80.

Dionne moved to the LA Kings as a free agent in the 1975-76 and remained with the Kings for 12 years. Dionne centred Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer on the famous and lethal Triple Crown Line. Dionne equaled or betterd the 50 goal a season mark 6 times in his career, all with Los Angeles and in 1976-77 his 122 points placed him second behind Montreal's Guy Lafleur with 136 points, earning him a spot on the First All Star team. In 1978-79 he netted a personal best 59 goals and finished 2nd in scoring once again, this time to Bryan Trottier with 134 points, which earned him a Second All Star Team spot. In 1979-80, he and his Triple Crown Line members Dave Taylor and Charlie Simmer were one of the top scoring threats in the NHL. Dionne captured the Art Ross Trophy beating out Wayne Gretzky because Dionne had 53 goals to Gretzky's 51(both hat 137 points). Dionne also squeezed by Gretzky for the Centre selection to the First All Star Team.

To this day Dionne remains the Kings all time scoring leader with 550, assist leader with 757 and points leader with 1307. He also holds the record for the most consecutive games at 324 and his number 16 has since been retired by the Los Angeles Kings. On March 10, 1987 Dionne was traded to the New York Rangers where he finished off his career in 1988-89. At the end of the 1998-99 season Dionne was the 3rd All Time Goal Scorer with 731 goals. The closest active player to him is Mark Messier with 610 goals. Dionne also remains as the 3rd highest overall Point Leader to Gretzky and Howe, with 1771 points, once again trailed by Messier with 1660 points.