Toronto Maple Leafs: Travis Dermott expected to be back quickly
By James Reeve
After the Toronto Maple Leafs locked William Nylander down to a new deal, they were forced to send Travis Dermott down to the AHL to make room.
William Nylander was occupying a ‘non-roster’ spot on the Toronto Maple Leafs due to his lack of a contract, but his signing re-activated him and required the team to make a move immediately.
With Travis Dermott still being waiver exempt, he was a logical choice to briefly send back to the Toronto Marlies, with the view of making another move to free up space for his own return.
In the meantime, the #leafs can create a roster spot by placing someone on waivers tomorrow or making a trade.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) December 3, 2018
Sportsnet reporter Chris Johnston posted on Twitter that the Leafs could free up a roster spot, by placing another player on waivers or by making a trade with another NHL club.
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As things stand, Dermott should return to Mike Babcock’s line-up before Tuesday’s road game against the Buffalo Sabres.
If the team doesn’t explore a potential trade, then the most logical move that could occur would see defenceman Justin Holl placed on waivers.
The 26-year-old has played just once for the Leafs this season and isn’t likely to attract the interest of many teams in the NHL, despite having some solid numbers behind his three total appearances in the league.
Other players who might be in consideration for waivers are Frederik Gauthier, Tyler Ennis and Josh Leivo.
All three players have a higher chance of being claimed, with each playing a regular role on the fourth line and generally producing at a decent rate, given the few minutes they have averaged between them.
Dermott has taken his game to another level this season and is showing that he is a legitimate top-four defenceman in the making.
It is imperative that the Toronto Maple Leafs make a quick decision that can allow them to bring him back into the line-up without missing any games.
Losing Dermott for the Buffalo game would be a huge disappointment for the team, with the Sabres being the season’s biggest surprise so far.
Defeating the Sabres and keeping their own positive run of results going will be important for Babcock and his team, and Dermott is a key piece to that puzzle.
Next. Jake Gardiner odd man out in Nylander deal. dark
What do you think Leafs Nation? Who will be the odd man out? Will Dermott be back for the Buffalo game or will the team look to make a trade that could take longer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.