The Toronto Maple Leafs are making a captaincy change. The Hockey News breaks down why Auston Matthews will become the 26th captain in franchise history. Former Maple Leafs defenseman Travis Dermott is reportedly on his way to Edmonton to sign a professional tryout with the Oilers. According to Daily Faceoff's Frank Seravalli, the 27-year-old defenseman will participate in the Oilers' voluntary captain's skates this week before being offered a PTO. "Been lots of speculation on #Oilers [https://x.com/hashtag/Oilers?src=hashtag_click] defense plans," Seravalli posted to X. "Expectation is we'll see Travis Dermott arrive in Edmonton for voluntary captain's skates this week, with a formal PTO to follow." Dermott has played 329 NHL games, split between the Maple Leafs (251), Canucks (28), and Coyotes (50). Through that span, the defenseman has scored 16 goals and 46 assists for 62 points. Toronto selected the Newmarket, Ontario, native in the second round (34th overall) in the 2015 NHL Draft. Dermott's junior playing days were spent in the OHL with the Erie Otters alongside Connor McDavid and Connor Brown, who are both now on the Oilers. Dermott, Brown, and Zach Hyman were teammates on the Maple Leafs and Toronto Marlies. Dermott and Hyman won the AHL's Calder Cup with the Marlies in 2018. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsCODJVEx7U[/embed] The Maple Leafs traded Dermott in Mar. 2022 to the Canucks, ahead of the NHL trade deadline, in exchange for a 2022 third-round pick. Since the beginning of the 2022-23 season, the defenseman has dealt with several injuries, which has only allowed him to play 61 games throughout the last two seasons. One of Dermott's most memorable moments with the Maple Leafs was when he scored his first NHL goal. In his ninth NHL game, he found the back of the net against the New York Islanders in the second period of a 5-0 shutout win. [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5EGhv-ASPw[/embed] Dermott made his NHL debut with the Maple Leafs on Jan. 6, 2018, in a 3-2 win against the Vancouver Canucks. He registered an assist and 12:03 of ice time in the game. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTk1MTUxMDE2NDM2ODQ0/cf1808c0-6a82-4298-9049-3eb2eae105b0.jpg] Related ‘As Far As What He Can Expect, It’s Going To Be So Much Fun’: Maple Leafs’ Auston Matthews on Macklin Celebrini Living with Joe Thornton, Playing Tennis with Steve Nash, and More From the Captain’s Stop at the NHL’s Player Media Tour [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/as-far-as-what-he-can-expect-its-going-to-be-so-much-fun-maple-leafs-auston-matthews-on-macklin-celebrini-living-with-joe-thornton-playing-tennis-with-steve-nash-and-more-from-the-captains-stop-at-the-nhls-player-media-tour] ‘This Might Have Been His Best Offseason Yet’: Why Trainer Trevor Williamson believes Prospect Easton Cowan is Ready for the Next Step with Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/this-might-have-been-his-best-offseason-yet-why-trainer-trevor-williamson-believes-prospect-easton-cowan-is-ready-for-the-next-step-with-maple-leafs] 'I Think (Mitch) Marner Gets A Lot of Flak': Avalanche Star Nathan MacKinnon Gave His Impression of Maple Leafs Star While Training With Him This Offseason [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/i-think-mitch-marner-gets-a-lot-of-flak-avalanche-star-nathan-mackinnon-gave-his-impression-of-maple-leafs-star-while-training-with-him-this-offseason] News from THN.com Eight More NHL Goalies with New Creative Masks Ahead of the 2024-25 Season [https://thehockeynews.com/news/eight-more-nhl-goalies-with-new-creative-masks-ahead-of-the-2024-25-season] 'Universally Adored': Blue Jackets Players, GM Express Grief At Loss of Johnny Gaudreau, Brother [https://thehockeynews.com/news/universally-adored-blue-jackets-players-gm-express-grief-at-loss-of-johnny-gaudreau-brother] Opinion: Bruins Fans Should Feel Fortunate GM Sweeney Is On Case In Swayman Contract Saga [https://thehockeynews.com/news/opinion-the-bruins-should-feel-fortunate-gm-sweeney-is-handling-swaymans-contract-saga]
