The Anaheim Ducks have reportedly expressed interest in a Leafs defenseman
The Anaheim Ducks are currently sitting in 6th in the Pacific Division and while the playoffs are not yet out of reach for the Ducks, after 3 losses in their last 4 games, they are definitely running out of time to get back into the hunt and lock down a playoff spot.
Last week, Ducks GM Pat Verbeek revealed that he would not risk losing pending UFA's Josh Manson, Hampus Lindholm and Rickard Rakell for nothing and would deal them at the deadline if no progress had been made on contract talks.
As far as players that the Ducks may have an interest in, this is where the Toronto Maple Leafs come in. According to The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta, the Ducks have expressed an interest in Maple Leafs defender Travis Dermott.
Dermott, 25, was drafted by the Leafs in the 2nd round of the 2015 NHL Entry Draft. He was originally thought to have had top-4 potential, but he has not quite lived up to the hype and has been relegated to a depth role in Toronto and could benefit from a change of scenery.
The Newmarket, Ontario native is signed through next season and carries a $1.5M cap hit. A cost-controlled 3rd pairing defenseman with term remaining such as Dermott could be of interest to a number of playoff contenders for some added depth in the playoffs. At this point, Pagnotta has only linked the Ducks and the Sabres to Dermott, but there is time for that list to grow.
| POLL | ||
MARS 6 | 459 ANSWERS The Anaheim Ducks have reportedly expressed interest in a Leafs defenseman Will Travis Dermott be a Leaf after the deadline? | ||
| Yes | 115 | 25.1 % |
| No | 299 | 65.1 % |
| He'll be traded in the offseason | 45 | 9.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
