Maple Leafs sign Travis Dermott to 2-year extension

TORONTO, ON – APRIL 29: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs plays the puck against the Vancouver Canucks during the first period at the Scotiabank Arena on April 29, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed defenseman Travis Dermott to a two-year extension with an annual average value of $1.5 million, the club announced Thursday. 

Dermott was widely speculated to be a candidate made available to the Seattle Kraken in the upcoming expansion draft, and this deal likely fortifies his spot in the Maple Leafs’ roster for 2022. 

With Dermott under contract, the Maple Leafs can now employ a 4-4-1 protection format for the expansion draft. Justin Holl and Alexander Kerfoot have also been speculated as potential options for the Kraken, while it seems unlikely Seattle would elect to take Pierre Engvall. 

Dermott recorded six points in 51 games during the 2020-21 regular season. At age 24, Dermott is entering his prime and has shown flashes of being a top-four defenseman, with his analytic profile often showing he’s a more capable defender than how Sheldon Keefe has deployed him. 

For the time being, it’s good value and term for both Dermott and the Maple Leafs, but he could be on the move shortly. 

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