Toronto Maple Leafs: What’s the Plan for Travis Dermott?

Our prayers have been answered, folks.

The Toronto Maple Leafs announced the promotion of 20-year-old defenceman Travis Dermott this morning from the Toronto Marlies to the NHL club.

With Dermott being one of the organization’s most coveted prospects, the move has sent the entirety of Leafs Nation into a frenzy. It’s an unsurprising development, considering Dermott’s impending promotion has been at the centre of speculation since training camp.

And honestly, it’s warranted. Dermott has been nothing short of other-worldly for the Marlies this season. And, going off of recent results, he may be their most important player.

Don’t believe me?

Well, back in early December, Dermott missed seven games to injury. With him gone, the Marlies lost six of those games, looking like a shell of their once-dominant selves. Upon Dermott’s return, they immediately rebounded to win their next two contests in dominant fashion, by scores of 5-1 and 5-2.

In the two games since returning from injury, Dermott registered 5 points.

This is a player whose presence changes the entire complexion of his team, and I am downright ecstatic to see how he fares in an NHL game.

And yet, despite Dermott now technically being a Toronto Maple Leaf, one question remains. Will he end up actually playing for the big club?

Allow me to wildly speculate.

Babcock’s Comments

When asked about Dermott’s promotion this morning, Mike Babcock had this to say:

The main takeaway from isn’t all that surprising. In this case, Babcock’s comments succeed in doing what he does best, tempering expectations.

There’s no doubt that Dermott would help the team. Yet, at the same time, can you blame Babcock for being hesitant about inserting an inexperienced defenceman into his lineup, especially directly on the heels of a victory?

Instead, it looks as if Leafs recalled Dermott to send him a clear message, saying:

"“Not only do we recognize your success, we want to reward you for it as well. So, keep working hard and come next year, you’ll be here full-time.”"

This way, Dermott is given a taste for the pace of an NHL practice, while acclimatizing to the Leafs facility, staff and players. Not to mention, he’s now been handed tangible evidence, for perhaps the first time since being drafted, that he indeed occupies a role within the organization’s bigger picture.

Furthermore, one thing to keep in mind is that Dermott was recently selected to the AHL’s All-Star Game. I’d be shocked if the Leafs kept him up long enough for him to miss it. Especially if they aren’t giving him regular minutes.

The organization clearly feels like they have a promising player in Dermott, and, frankly, they do.

My belief is they want to avoid shuttling him back and forth between the AHL and NHL, something they’ve done with Kasperi Kapanen this year. When the powers that be feel Dermott’s game is completely rounded out, he’ll become a full-time Leaf.

Until then, we can day-dream about the prospect of a Timothy Liljegren-Dermott pairing creeping closer and closer to reality.