Reporter Expects Maple Leafs to Re-Acquire a Former Leafs Defenseman on Friday

While several key members of the Toronto Maple Leafs are now eligible for contract extensions, it looks like GM Brad Treliving also has a previous contract on his mind.

On July 2, Brad Treliving signed defenceman Dakota Mermis to a one-year deal.

Unfortunately for Treliving and the Leafs, Mermis had to be placed on waivers in order to be sent to the Toronto Marlies back in early December, and was snagged by the Utah Hockey Club.

After playing just one game for the Utah HC, Mermis has been placed on waivers in order to assign him to the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL, giving Toronto a chance to take him back.

According to Kyle Cushman of The Score, Treliving has every intention of bringing Mermis back into the fold in Toronto.

Cushman says the main reason is because Mermis was signed to be a veteran presence on the blueline for the Toronto Marlies, and Treliving wants him returned to that role as soon as possible.

Mermis, 30, has played a total of 75 games in the NHL with the vast majority of his pro hockey career being played in the AHL.

Mermis was called up to the Maple Leafs at a time when the team was dealing with several injuries and had few options to plug the holes in the lineup.

If the Leafs are the only team to submit a waiver claim, since he originally left Toronto on the waiver wire, Mermis will be eligible to be sent to the AHL immediately without having to clear waivers.