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The Toronto Maple Leafs announced on Thursday the signing of defenseman Travis Dermott to a two-year, $3 million contract extension ($1.5 million AAV), but the question that arose almost immediately afterward was whether the deal was to lock up a depth defenseman at a team-friendly amount or to make him more attractive to the Seattle Kraken in the upcoming expansion draft.
"It's always in the back your mind, but it's something that I know I have zero control over. It's kind of 'if it happens, it happens'. Dermott said of possibly being claimed by Seattle after the signing. "(I'm) happy to be here, happy to be back for another couple of years. (Toronto is) where I want to be, where all my family is, and the best fans in hockey."
Dermott had six points (2 goals, 4 assists) in 51 regular season games for the Leafs during the 2020-21 season, but lost his job in the starting lineup to Rasmus Sandin at the end of the campaign and only got back into the lineup after Sandin showed some growing pains midway through the first round series vs. Montreal.
The deal appears to have a number of potential factors to it. If the Leafs follow through on what is expected in terms of their protection list for expansion later this month, which is to protect four defensemen (including Justin Holl) and their core four forwards, Dermott will be available to be selected by the Kraken, headed by former Leafs assistant Dave Hakstol.
The likely options for Seattle off the Toronto roster are either Dermott or center Alex Kerfoot and with the new deal, Dermott is now locked up at a cost-effective amount for two years and is arbitration-eligible in 2023 before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2024, potentially making him a more attractive claim to Seattle GM Ron Francis. If the Leafs know that Seattle is likely to claim Kerfoot, then GM Kyle Dubas has Dermott signed at a reasonable amount as a bottom pairing defenseman for the Leafs or another club in a possible trade.
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The trade chatter has begun to pick up as the offseason started after Tampa’s Cup victory on Wednesday. Following the report of the Leafs potential interest in free agent Taylor Hall on Thursday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated on FAN 590 Friday morning that Toronto may have interest in Detroit winger Tyler Bertuzzi.
The 26-year-old winger scored 21 goals in 2019 and 2020 and had five goals in nine games last season before suffering a back injury that required surgery. Bertuzzi is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights before becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Detroit reportedly is not keen on trading Bertuzzi and prepared to sign him to a long-term extension, so it would likely be costly to acquire from a division rival.
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