Travis Dermott

[Once]

*I created this thread as I could not find a previous thread for Dermott.

Amidst the hype of JT and the Leafs depth down the middle, I was excited to have a full season where we could watch the growth and development of our depth prospects like Dermott, Johnsson, and Kapanen.

Dermott is especially intriguing because he plays a position of need for the club and going forward will be a crucial piece for this organization. Last year he was great when he was called up but was not that great in the playoffs. This year it appears he has taken a step forward defensively and is poised in his position. I could go on about some other aspects of his game that has impressed me to date and how some posters have referenced statistics regarding the quality of our third pairing, but I will keep this short.

Some questions to facilitate discussion:
1.) What is your opinion of Dermott's play thus far?

2.) Where does Dermott slot in for our future? Obviously there is no sense in rushing a young dman and it is probably best to let him marinate on the third pairing for now, but do you foresee a situation where he is paired with Rielly? Maybe he takes over for Gardiner eventually but next year would probably be too soon.

3.) In your opinion, what is Dermott's ceiling? I have previously stated that his ceiling could be Cam Fowler at his best (~40 points).

Click to read more...

 

[ACC1224]

He's been great, really good last night.

Previous thread - Travis Dermott

 

[Hockey Crazy]

Dermott is the best all around D man that this team has developed in ages. He brings a perfect blend of all the skills required for a good modern day NHL D. Sandin really reminds me of him and I wish we had one of them on the RHD side.

I think he can be a 30-40 ppt guy who can play on the top pair for support. Really high on his game

 

[Once]

He's been great, really good last night.

Previous thread - Travis Dermott

My apologies. Cheers.

 

[thewave]

Dermott is the best all around D man that this team has developed in ages. He brings a perfect blend of all the skills required for a good modern day NHL D. Sandin really reminds me of him and I wish we had one of them on the RHD side.

I think he can be a 30-40 ppt guy who can play on the top pair for support. Really high on his game

Morgan is pretty good. We developed him too you know so it's not really ages as you say. Good defender though.

 

[Einzakin]

Dermott is the best all around D man that this team has developed in ages. He brings a perfect blend of all the skills required for a good modern day NHL D. Sandin really reminds me of him and I wish we had one of them on the RHD side.

I think he can be a 30-40 ppt guy who can play on the top pair for support. Really high on his game

Morgan Rielly

 

[IBeL34f]

I've really, really liked his game so far this year. That he's playing this way at 21, while still on the Babcock leash, is quite impressive. He'll be over-ready for a top-4 role pretty soon at this rate.

 

[Hockey Crazy]

Morgan Rielly

Offensively, Reilly is incredible and he is no slouch on the D side, I'd like to see him away from Hainsey to see if his possession numbers would improve drastically and if he can suppress shots against top end talent.

 

[thewave]

I've really, really liked his game so far this year. That he's playing this way at 21, while still on the Babcock leash, is quite impressive. He'll be over-ready for a top-4 role pretty soon at this rate.

If you project him the same way we did Morgan, I would say he is on that same curve right now. I don't think it really gets any better than that tbh.

 

[therealkoho]

I really like the kid, you can almost see the small improvements and adjustments on a game to game basis, he's really on an upward trajectory, nice to see that a dumb dumb coach like Babs see's fit in playing the kid in responsible situations, should be getting some PK time in the near future, hopefully he's now disciplined enough to handle it and doesn't chase or overplay

 

[LeafSteel]

Dermott has been terrific and I think his development has made Gardiner expendable, and I am a Gardiner booster.

 

[Duke Silver]

Some questions to facilitate discussion:
1.) What is your opinion of Dermott's play thus far?

2.) Where does Dermott slot in for our future? Obviously there is no sense in rushing a young dman and it is probably best to let him marinate on the third pairing for now, but do you foresee a situation where he is paired with Rielly? Maybe he takes over for Gardiner eventually but next year would probably be too soon.

3.) In your opinion, what is Dermott's ceiling? I have previously stated that his ceiling could be Cam Fowler at his best (~40 points).

1. Our 2nd-best dman this season.

2. #2LD (Jake's spot) or #1RD (until we get a true #1 RHD)

3. Ceiling: Second-pairing dman who can put up 40 points (with PP time).

 

[Mr Hockey]

Dermott has been terrific and I think his development has made Gardiner expendable, and I am a Gardiner booster.

I keep flip-flopping, I think Gardiner is done as a Leaf after this season unless he wants to resign at 4'ish AAV, not gonna happen. Dermott takes the 2nd pairing LHD next season and plays with the Matthews line.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

He's been our 2nd best defenseman. He's very good defensively and he can transition the puck very well. I see his ceiling as a good top pairing defenseman but not elite

 

[All Mod Cons]

I think the Leafs are in good hands with Rielly, Dermott, Sandin and Liljegren making up 4 of their 6 dmen in future.

Quite like what I've seen of Durzi and Hollowell too.

 

[meefer]

The most important player we have. Able to play in Asgard while succeeding with Jane. Cannot be underestimated.

 

[LeafGrief]

My Dermott hype is a little off the rails at this point. Really hoping that Babs starts giving him some bigger responsibilities and tries him out on the right hand side. His defensive awareness, strength, and transition game are off the charts. Fantastic player and has all the tools + toolbox to be a top pairing guy.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

My Dermott hype is a little off the rails at this point. Really hoping that Babs starts giving him some bigger responsibilities and tries him out on the right hand side. His defensive awareness, strength, and transition game are off the charts. Fantastic player and has all the tools + toolbox to be a top pairing guy.

another thing that might work is play Gardiner up with Rielly, and let Dermott play his natural side with Zaitsev on the second pair.

 

[LeafGrief]

another thing that might work is play Gardiner up with Rielly, and let Dermott play his natural side with Zaitsev on the second pair.

That would work too. All depends on what Babcock thinks is best for developing Dermott.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

That would work too. All depends on what Babcock thinks is best for developing Dermott.

true, but he also has to factor in what would win the most games, and that probably means playing him more. we'll have to see, but it's nice to have a player like Dermott

 

[Its not your fault]

I keep flip-flopping, I think Gardiner is done as a Leaf after this season unless he wants to resign at 4'ish AAV, not gonna happen. Dermott takes the 2nd pairing LHD next season and plays with the Matthews line.

I don't disagree i could see him traded with a forward and a pick for a dman with some years on his contract left or is an RFA.

 

[crump]

Jake is having a slow start offensively. Dermott hasn't surged out of the gate offensively either, but his advanced stats are really good, albeit playing 3rd pairing. I think it would take a lot to move Dermott up the lineup right now, like an injury to Jake or try him on the right side because nobody else can , but with the team playing pretty well, there is no need to risk screwing things up. He'll get his chance next season if Jake leaves.

 

[93LEAFS]

I'm curious to see what he can do with PP time when we eventually move on from Jake. That will determine if he is a solid 2nd pairing guy, or if he has higher upside than that. He has the best gap control and ability to deny clean entries on the team. That is a very hard skill to improve on as it is so instinctive and reactionary. A great example of this was him denying the entry to Evander Kane forcing a turnover that lead to Kapanen's goal vs the Sharks.

 

[LeafSteel]

Maybe Dermott can collide with Kapanen, and Dermott wakes up right handed and Kapanen wakes up left handed.......?

 

[lebdafor norris]

High Danger chances against/60 Defensive zone start

Dermott 7.95 (29.1%)
Zaitsev 11.19 (38.14%)
Gardiner 11.29 (36.24 %)
Ozhiganov 11.39 ( 29.43%)
Hainsey 12.82 (32.9%)
Rielly 12.92 (30.54%)

Even thou his offence is just starting to come out, Dermott's ability to handle the puck, his amazing outlet passes, surprisingly effective board work and very impressive mobility have made him one of the stingiest 3rd pairing Dman in the league when it comes to giving quality chances. With the "new NHL" being all about speed and the icing rule in effect, I feel like the qualities above is pretty much a requirement now for a true "shutdown" Dman, the slow, big Dman with no puck skills is already phasing out.