Arizona Coyotes sign defenseman Travis Dermott to one-year contract
The Arizona Coyotes have signed defenseman Travis Dermott to a one-year, two-way contract, CapFriendly reported Tuesday afternoon.
Dermott, 26, appeared in 11 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks during the 2022–23 regular season, scoring a single goal and averaging 13:45 per night.
The six-foot defender, who shoots left, also skated in one American Hockey League game with the Abbotsford Canucks in 2022–23 as part of his recovery process from a concussion he sustained during the pre-season.
Dermott’s return to the NHL lasted less than a month. He continued to experience concussion-like symptoms after making his season debut on December 29 and ultimately played his final game as a Canuck on January 25 before being placed back on injured reserve. The Canucks elected not to tender Dermott a qualifying offer in June, making him an unrestricted free agent.
As per CapFriendly, Dermott’s new contract with the Coyotes carries an $800,000 NHL cap hit. He’ll be paid a $450,000 salary for his time spent in the AHL during the 2023–24 season.
Arizona #Yotes have signed UFA Travis Dermott.
1 year / 2-way deal
NHL: $800,000
Minor: $450,000
Dermott is represented by @JLJax12
https://t.co/I7H7usA3eJ
The Toronto Maple Leafs originally selected Dermott in the second round (No. 34 overall) of the 2015 NHL Draft. The Newmarket, Ontario product spent three seasons in the OHL with the Erie Otters before establishing himself as a full-time professional with the Toronto Marlies in the 2016–17 season.
Dermott helped the Marlies capture the Calder Cup in 2018. That same year, the 22-year-old defenseman appeared in his first 37 NHL games with the Maple Leafs, amassing 13 points; he also skated in all seven of the club’s games during the 2018 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
In 2018–19, Dermott set career highs in goals (four), assists (13), points (17), and games played (64), while averaging 17:18 per night. His usage increased slightly to 17:19 per game in 2019–20 before falling significantly in subsequent seasons.
The Canucks acquired Dermott from the Maple Leafs at the 2022 trade deadline in exchange for a third-round pick in that year’s draft. He scored a goal and an assist while averaging 16:54 per night in 17 games with the Canucks to close out the 2021–22 regular season.
Through 279 career NHL games over parts of six seasons with the Maple Leafs and Canucks, Dermott has collected 14 goals and 55 points while averaging 15:49 of ice time. He’s added two goals and five points in 22 career playoff contests.
Dermott will battle for ice time as a member of a Coyotes defensive group that also includes J.J. Moser, Sean Durzi, Juuso Valimaki, Troy Stecher, Josh Brown, and Victor Soderstrom.