Dermott reflects on his run in Toronto after what could be his final game as a Leaf
Travis Dermott spoke to the media after Saturday's loss to the Nashville Predators. The game was the Leafs' last before the trade deadline and likely Dermott's last game as a Leaf. The Newmarket, Ontario native grew up a Leaf fan and he got to live his childhood dream. Not everyone can say that.
It's a dream. I keep pinching myself even to this day, like, there's now way. I'm still dreaming from draft day, right? They didn't actually call my name. This was just a five-year-long dream. You really appreciate it.
Dermott was asked about the trade rumours surrounding him and spoke as if he knows the writing is on the wall.
I love playing hockey. So you know, wherever that is, whatever happens, happens. I just want to play hockey and have fun. Whether that's here or somewhere else, you just try to make the most of it, have fun and become the best player you can be.
Dermott was one of the first players drafted outside of the first round to emerge in the Shanaplan. When he was called up in 2018 he looked poised for the Leafs top-4 and his first NHL goal will be remembered forever. Between the standing ovation to seeing his dad's reaction, Dermott was living Leaf Nation's dream.
Unfortunately, things stalled for Dermott and, despite getting opportunities in the top-4, he was never able to become a staple in the Leafs' lineup and was pushed out as Rasmus Sandin and Timothy Liljegren were called up. Dermott found himself in the press box but always tried to keep a positive mindset that'll hopefully help him in the future - either as a Leaf or elsewhere.
"That's hockey. That's what good teams are built on. They're built on competition within the group. That's just part of hockey for me. You come in and you work hard every day. You, of course, expect a lot of things when you do put in the hours but nothing's promised. You just try to come in every day. Do your job. Be happy with the effort you put in and kind of take the outcomes kind of as they come. Maybe take them with a grain of sand. Just kind of focus on the process, I think, more than the outcome. Especially, that's kind of what I've been focusing on. There's a lot of good competition here in our back end. So the days that I'm not in, I'm just just focusing on trying to become better in practice and all the little things. I think that'll just build my confidence for when I do get back and back in again and playing. That's, I think, the most positive way you can go about it. Some days it's hard, but that's what I try to focus on."
251 NHL games later, Dermott may get the change of scenery that he needs. The trade deadline is Monday at 3:00pm and there's a good chance Dermott will be in a different sweater.
| POLL | ||
MARS 20 | 260 ANSWERS Dermott reflects on his run in Toronto after what could be his final game as a Leaf Will Dermott be traded at the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 171 | 65.8 % |
| No, but he'll be traded this summer | 51 | 19.6 % |
| I don't think they'll trade him at all | 38 | 14.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
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