Former Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott reportedly signs PTO with Oilers

By Cole Shelton

Modified Sep 11, 2024 16:35 GMT

Former Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott reportedly agreed to a professional tryout with the Edmonton Oilers. Dermott played last season with the Arizona Coyotes.

Dermott became a free agent on July 1. Earlier on Tuesday, NHL insider Frank Seravalli revealed Dermott was expected to sign a PTO, and Sportsnet later confirmed he has signed it.

Dermott played AAA with Connor McDavid with the York Simcoe Express and the two then played with the Erie Otters in the OHL. Whether or not that relationship played any role in Dermott getting the PTO with the Oilers is uncertain.

The defenseman would have a chance of competing for a roster spot and helping Edmonton's defense, which lost Philip Broberg and Cody Ceci.

Dermott was selected 34th overall in the 2017 NHL draft by the Toronto Maple Leafs. He played parts of five seasons in Toronto and has also played for the Vancouver Canucks and Arizona Coyotes.

Demott has skated in 329 NHL games, recording 16 goals and 62 points.

Oilers GM opens up decision to not match offer sheets

Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman decided not to match the offer sheets to Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway. The St. Louis Blues offer sheeted Holloway and Broberg and landed them both.

"The way it's being portrayed is also a little bit unfair, that the Oilers were doing some sort of poor-faith negotiating," Bowman said to The Athletic.

"If you look at (Broberg and Holloway), based on their performance, there's lots of comparable players that have signed this summer and (in) recent years."

In the offseason, the Oilers signed Jeff Skinner and Viktor Arvidsson. Edmonton also traded defenseman Cody Ceci.

The Oilers lost the 2023-24 Stanley Cup Finals to the Florida Panthers. They enter the 2024-25 NHL season as one of the favorites to win the Cup.

Edmonton opens their season at home on Oct. 9 against the Winnipeg Jets.