By Alex Hobson
The 2015 NHL Entry Draft was still going on, and the Leafs were bound to pick at #24. But then suddenly, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman took to the stage and announced a trade. The Leafs had traded pick #24 to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for pick #29 and pick #61. Most Leafs fans were confused by this move, but then figured "hey, we still have a pick in the first round, so it's not that bad". Pick #29 came around, and Bettman had another trade to announce. The Leafs had now traded pick #29 to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for pick #34 and pick #68. Now things were beginning to seem fishy. Why would they trade out of the first round in a crucial rebuild? They then began to understand that they can still pick up a first round caliber player at pick #34, with players such as Paul Bittner, Jansen Harkins, Daniel Sprong, and Oliver Kylington still being availible. Leafs fans began to settle, and then before they knew it was day two. At #34, interim GM Kyle Dubas announced that the Leafs had selected defenseman Travis Dermott of the Erie Otters. So, given that this pick was a little bit off the board, who is Travis Dermott?
Growing up in Newmarket, Ontario as a Leafs fan, Dermott has been known as a reliable, puck moving, offensive defensmeman his entire life. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 2012 OHL Priority selection, and hasn't looked back since. In his first year of competition in the OHL, he recorded 28 points in 67 games for the Otters, and in his most recent year he collected 45 points in 61 games as a defenseman, and had a memorable playoff run, recording 15 points in 17 games. He's a solid offensive defenseman who has the capability to anchor a powerplay and he's gritty as well, as he's a solid hitter.
So what makes Dermott a good solid defenseman? As stated earlier, he can quarterback a powerplay and is very good at doing so, he also has soft hands and is a very good passer. The left hand shooting defenseman will potentially slide into a no.3 or no.4 role for the Leafs in the future.
NHL ETA: 2018-19
Given the Leafs new process of slowly developing players through junior and the AHL, Dermott will likely not secure a roster spot until 2018-19. The 18 year old will likely spend the next two years in junior with the Erie Otters, and then be given one year in the Leafs' AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies, to progress as a player. He could see some NHL minutes in 2017-18, but won't be given full NHL duties until the 2018-19 season.
Player comparable: Cam Fowler, Morgan Rielly
Two of the most comparable players to Dermott are Fowler and Rielly, given that they both are a pass-first type of offensive defenseman, and both are smooth skating defenseman who know how to set players up.
Potential ceiling: No.3 Defenseman
You could say we got a steal in Travis Dermott, but it's hard to say that Shanny and Co. didn't know what they were getting in Dermott when they selected him 34th overall. His offensive and skating ability will have him up on the top 4, and he could be a very valuable asset to the Leafs in the future.
What do you think, Leafs fans? Are you happy with the selection of Dermott? Let me know in the comments.
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