The Hartford Wolf Pack added 348 games of NHL experience on Saturday by signing Travis Dermott to an AHL professional tryout deal. The 2024-2025 season was a tough one for Dermott as he only played 22 games, split between the Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild and the Bakersfield Condors.
Dermott played three games for Bakersfield to end the season but did not sign a contract to start the 2025/26 season. With the NHL taking an Olympic break, Dermott picks an interesting time to get some reps in Harford before the season resumes. The defender may have his eye on a contract with the New York Rangers.
Dermott spent six years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he was a regular for most of an injury-riddled season. However, the Maple Leafs moved him to the Vancouver Canucks at the 2022 trade deadline, where he once again struggled to hold down a spot in the lineup thanks to a concussion and another undisclosed upper-body injury during the 2022–2023 season.
The defenseman attempted another full season with the Arizona Coyotes the following year, but despite staying healthy for 50 games, injuries continued to be a problem. Perhaps a longer break this season will help put his injury history behind him.
As a 29-year-old, Dermott still has some mileage left. His body has been through more than the average 29-year-old skater, but a few more seasons as a reliable depth defender would still be possible.
The two-way defenseman has 62 points in 348 games in his NHL career, which is a far cry from the offensive edge he showed in the OHL. However, playing on a junior team with Connor McDavid, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome would benefit each player’s stats.
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