Edmonton Oilers sign Travis Dermott to one-year, two-way contract

The Edmonton Oilers announced Tuesday they’ve signed defenseman Travis Dermott to a one-year, two-way contract. The deal is worth $775,000 at the NHL level and sees Dermott turn his training camp tryout into a contract for the 2024-25 season.

Dermott, 27, dressed in 50 games for the Arizona Coyotes last season, scoring twice, recording seven points. Dermott averaged 17:16 of ice-time per game and played 2:35 a night shorthanded.

The Newmarket, ON was originally a 2015 second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dermott spent parts of five seasons in Toronto, appearing in 251 games, collecting 12 goals and 40 assists. In March of 2022, Dermott was traded by the Maple Leafs to the Vancouver Canucks, where he’d register two points in 17 games down the stretch of the ’22 season. He’d go on to sign a one-year deal to stay in Vancouver, however struggled to find consistent playing time with the Canucks.

In 329 career NHL games, Dermott has tallied 16 goals, 46 assists, and 128 penalty minutes. He also has five points in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Looking ahead to this season, the seven-year veteran will look to secure himself a depth role amongst the Oilers’ blueline. Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson both had solid training camps and will likely start the season ahead of Dermott on the depth chart.

Dermott will try to take advantage of his first opportunity in Edmonton’s lineup, playing under Kris Knoblauch, who he’s very familiar with from their days together with the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters. Connor Brown and Connor McDavid were also on the Otters at the time.

The Oilers begin their 2024-25 season on Wednesday, when they host the Winnipeg Jets. Edmonton plays their first four games at home, before heading to Nashville Oct.17 to faceoff against the Predators.