With the summer months slowing down the National Hockey Leagues news, I figure everyone will be discussing Will Butcher and why their team is a good fit for the young defender.

Instead I want to ‘dig deep’ at take a look at a homegrown product in the Maple Leafs system. I’d like to focus in on Travis Dermott and what his summer plans include and show how eager he is to earn a shot at making the big club to start the season or at least be the first player to be called upon if there is an injury or someone playing poorly.

Firstly, Travis Dermott was selected in the second-round in 2015 and is 20 years old, he’s coming off a solid playoff performance for the Marlies in his rookie season where he scored a goal and got four assists in eleven games. Most importantly he got praise from Leafs General Manager Lou Lamoriello. That there alone must have really determined Dermott and upped his level of compete going into this upcoming 2017-18 NHL season.

Obviously there is not a whole lot of wiggle room on the Leafs blue-line but there certainly is room for improvement. Dermott won’t beat out Gardiner, Rielly or Zaitsev and Toronto just signed Hainsey. So the way I see it he will have to beat out one of Marincin or Carrick (which could certainly be possible). I’ve never been a huge Marincin supporter and I feel that spot could be had if Dermott an opportunity to prove himself with the big club.

For some reason the Marincin-Carrick pairing worries me, anyone else?

With Lilljegren in the Leafs system now and both Borgman and Rosen being signed from the Sweden Dermott wants to get his foot in the door sooner than later.

Travis has been determined all summer long practicing at the Leafs practice facility. It’s less than a month before the Leafs rookie tournament is held at Ricoh Coliseum (which should be quite entertaining this season with such a quality crop of prospects).

Dermott has not only upped his workouts on and off the ice all summer getting in as much hockey and training as possible. But he’s also adjusted his eating habits and sleeping patterns as he’s trying to have his brain feed off his game and proper intake of healthy foods that he’s hoping will give him an edge as he prepared for the big leap as the Maple Leafs get camp underway in September after rookie camp is over.

I’d have to say Dermott is the most prepared defensive prospect in the Leafs system at this current time. His skill set is very well rounded and he’s not exactly weak in any aspects of his game. As long as everything carries over to the next level Dermott should fit in well with the Leafs and could be exactly what they need to bolster their defense without having to give up any major assets or god forbid picks.

Dermott who was selected 34th overall has a solid frame at 5’11, 210 pounds. He may not get his named inked on the scoresheet often, but he does a good job at keeping the oppositions name off the scoresheet as he’s solid defensively. He can skate at an NHL level and is good at dishing off the puck as the team breaks out, overall he usually makes the right decision with the puck and that’s what you want from your 5-6 defensemen when you are counting on him to get the puck out of the zone.

I think Dermott is going to get a really good look at camp and he just may crack the Leafs lineup. Keep an eye on a determined Travis Dermott.

Thanks for reading!

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