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Toronto Maple Leafs Scrimmage Will Make or Break These 4 Players

By Stephen Nixon

Jul 13, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (89) during a NHL workout at the Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 13, 2020; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Robertson (89) during a NHL workout at the Ford Performance Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
SUNRISE, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 27: Travis Dermott #23 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

#4. Travis Dermott

Travis Dermott is going to play a number of games this season, but he’s currently slotted as the seventh defenseman on the Leafs depth chart. Despite being with the team for a few seasons now, he’s unfortunately been pushed aside for Mikko Lehtonen and Zach Bogosian.

Since Lehtonen was the KHL Defenseman of the Year and Bogosian is coming off a Stanley Cup victory with the Tampa Bay Lightning, both defensemen are going to get an opportunity over him to start the season. However, Dermott could show Sheldon Keefe and the entire organization that he deserves a top-six spot with a huge game.

Since the roster is split in half, Dermott is going to play a ton of minutes, which is only beneficial to him. Previously drafted 34th overall in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft, Dermott has the skills to become an everyday defenseman in the NHL.

His skating ability is elite and he’s at his best when he’s rushing the puck up the ice. However, it’s his defensive zone play that can be troubling. Dermott will most likely be playing against the Mikheyev-Engvall-Hyman line a lot, so if he’s able to shut down that match-up, it may help him get a few more games this season.

Obviously it’s just one scrimmage, but every game counts when you’re fighting for your job.

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