NHL Waivers: Oilers Make Travis Dermott Available, Maple Leafs Lose Mermis To Utah

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Travis Dermott is on NHL waivers, while the Utah Hockey Club claimed Dakota Mermis from the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.

The NHL's other 31 clubs can claim Dermott in the next 24 hours. Otherwise, the Oilers can assign him to the AHL's Bakersfield Condors.

The news comes a day after the Oilers claimed defenseman Alec Regula from the Boston Bruins. That meant Edmonton had a log jam of D-men on their roster. 

Dermott has been a regular NHL defenseman for most of the past seven seasons. The last time the 27-year-old played in the AHL in 2022-23, when he suited up for one game for the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks. Before that, he played 28 AHL games for the Toronto Marlies in 2017-18.

Dermott signed a one-year, $775,000 deal with the Oilers on Oct. 8 after a successful tryout. Since then, he's made 10 appearances and has no points and a minus-three rating. Dermott averaged 13:05 of ice time and had 17 giveaways compared to one takeaway.

Mermis, meanwhile, just became another former Maple Leafs defenseman as he heads to Utah.

The 30-year-old hasn't played in the NHL yet this season after having jaw surgery during the pre-season. The Maple Leafs activated him off the long-term injured reserve on Wednesday when they placed him on waivers with Alex Nylander. Nylander cleared and heads to the Marlies.

Utah is dealing with multiple injuries on the back end, including John Marino, who received lower-back surgery in October, and Sean Durzi, who had shoulder surgery. Robert Bortuzzo is now also day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Adding Mermis will add to the depth of the D-corps. 

Mermis played three games for the Marlies this season in a conditioning stint, recording an assist and a plus-2 rating. Last season, he played 47 games for the Minnesota Wild, posting three goals, eight points, 45 hits and 59 blocked shots.

Toronto signed Mermis to a one-year, $775,00 contract in July.

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