The Toronto Maple Leafs have announced that they have signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a two-year contract extension worth $3 million. The deal will have an AAV of $1.5 million and carry him through the 2022-23 season.
Dermy has a new deal!
Travis Dermott has signed a two-year contract extension. #LeafsForever
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) July 8, 2021
Travis Dermott Signs Extension
The Maple Leafs originally drafted Dermott in the second round, 34th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He was coming off a solid season in the OHL with the Connor McDavid-led Erie Otters. The Maple Leafs wasted no time, signing him to an entry-level contract shortly after the draft. Demott spent a year back in Junior before making the jump to the Maple Leafs AHL affiliate Toronto Marlies for the 2016/2017 season where he had 24 points in 59 games. The Maple Leafs’ brass was content with his progression, so after starting the 2017/2018 season back in the AHL, he earned his first call up on January 5th, 2018. Dermott bounced between both leagues that month. He would eventually maintain a regular spot in the lineup, helping the Maple Leafs earn a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Despite scoring a huge goal for his team in Game 7, the Maple Leafs would go on to lose to the Boston Bruins. Dermott’s eventful season didn’t end there though. He went back to play with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies and won a Calder Cup.
The following two seasons were much less successful for the young defenceman, as he played out the remainder of his entry-level deal. Dermott seemed to have plateaued. So, prior to this season, he signed a one-year contract worth $874,125. It was a ‘show me what you are’ type of deal. What he did was have the worst statistical season of his career, posting just two goals and six points over 51 games. Over his four-year NHL career, Dermott has collected 11 goals and 36 assists for 47 points in 208 games. He has also added 86 minutes in penalties, 268 hits and 186 blocked shots.
What This Means for the Future
The biggest question is whether Dermott will survive the expansion draft or not. It remains to be seen what the Toronto Maple Leafs’ protection list will look like, but early indications are that Dermott, Justin Holl and Alex Kerfoot are on the fringe of being protected. Defencemen come at a premium, and if Dermott is left exposed, the 24-year-old may be selected by the Seattle Kraken on July 21st.
If not, the Maple Leafs will continue to be patient with Dermott. Given the likelihood of a top-four that includes Morgan Rielly paired with T.J. Brodie and Jake Muzzin with Justin Holl, Dermott should play on the bottom pairing. If Zach Bogosian does not return, the Maple Leafs may elect to give Rasmus Sandin a regular role on the team and deploy the two youngsters together. Regardless of his role, Dermott will need to take a step forward during the two years of this contract.
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