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Toronto Maple Leafs: Don’t overlook Travis Dermott’s negative X-Rays

By David Morassutti

TORONTO, ON - MARCH 31: Travis Dermott
TORONTO, ON - MARCH 31: Travis Dermott /
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Mike Babcock told reporters postgame that X-Rays for rookie defenceman Travis Dermott came back negative, but it does not mean the injury is less significant for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Losing 3-1 to the Winnipeg Jets was probably the least of Mike Babcock’s concerns in the long run. The status of rookie defenceman Travis Dermott for the Toronto Maple Leafs going forward is one the team cannot take lightly, with the playoffs not too far away.

The injury occurred in the first period, after a slap shot went off the left side of his foot. The worst part was he could not put weight on his foot and needed to be helped to the dressing room.

"“They’ll be doing scans and all that stuff,” Babcock told the media postgame. “Who knows? They’ll tell me tomorrow. We have D, we’ll take a look at it. I don’t know if he is out for a bit, I don’t know anything about it to be honest with you. He had X-Rays and there was nothing and he’ll have whatever scans they do next and see how he’s feeling tomorrow. We’ll make a decision on it.”"

While the severity of the injury is unknown at this point, just the fact that X-Rays came back negative does not mean the team is out of the woods.

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With more tests being done, it will likely mean more will be revealed as early as Monday when the team has their pregame skate prior ahead of their game against the Buffalo Sabres.

It was not long ago that Patrice Bergeron missed time with a fractured foot after blocking a shot, even though X-Rays came back negative. A CT scan revealed the injury after he felt discomfort playing the following day.

A scan could show what type of injury it might be, and if it doesn’t, an MRI could also reveal something like a bone bruise. While it is easy to be optimistic about Dermott going forward, Babcock did not provide a reason to doubt an injury.

Could this have been prevented from happening? Allan Maki wrote last year in The Globe and Mail about how some players wear a special guard on their skates, which adds an extra layer of protection from blocking a shot.

Nashville Predators’ defenceman P.K. Subban spoke about a time when he was saved from a serious injury thanks to wearing a guard.

"“When I went back into the room, all the bones on my foot were like this,” Subban told Maki, making a steeple with his fingers. “I would have broken my foot for sure if I wasn’t wearing [a guard] The pressure made the bones come up. They had to crunch my bones back into place. They told me if I hadn’t been wearing them I’d have been out six weeks.”"

It is not known if Dermott was wearing any protection on his skate but if he was not, then it could mean trouble going forward. At the same time, the Leafs may have given the 21-year-old that option.

As Jonas Siegel wrote in The Athletic, a long-term injury will probably be an issue for the Maple Leafs.

He points out how much of an impact Dermott has had in both areas of the game with his puck moving ability. If this injury impacts his skating, it hurts a significant part of his game.

The Leafs do have the option of recalling Andreas Borgman from the Toronto Marlies. Borgman was sent down in large part to Dermott beating him out for a spot in the lineup.

While it would be tough to replace what Dermott brings, the Swedish defenceman has had his moments down in the AHL.

The team will have to make adjustments, especially on the penalty kill, if Dermott is forced to miss time. Babcock certainly hopes that will not have to be the case.

Next: What to do with the UFAs this offseason?

Are you optimistic that Dermott can avoid major injury? If he were to miss significant time, what changes should the team consider? Let us know in the comments below. 

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