Travis Dermott Signs One-Year Contract with Edmonton Oilers

EDMONTON, AB – The Edmonton Oilers have officially signed defenceman Travis Dermott to a one-year, two-way contract, carrying an average annual value of $775,000 at the National Hockey League (NHL) level. This development was confirmed on October 8, 2024, by the Edmonton Oilers.

The 27-year-old Canadian, originally from Newmarket, Ontario, had initially joined the Oilers on a professional tryout agreement dated September 13. Following his successful participation in the club’s training camp and pre-season schedule, the Oilers opted to sign Dermott to a formal contract.

Prior to his encounter with the Oilers, Dermott was part of the Arizona Coyotes‘ roster, where he saw action in 50 games. During his tenure with Arizona, he netted two goals and added five assists, alongside accruing 26 penalty minutes. Earlier in his career, Dermott played for the Vancouver Canucks from 2021 to 2023. With the Canucks, he appeared in 28 games, recording two goals and one assist.

Dermott’s career began when he was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2015 NHL Draft, 34th overall. Throughout his five-season stint with Toronto, he played in 251 NHL games, amassing 12 goals and 40 assists. His career stats stand at 329 NHL games played, during which he produced 62 points from 16 goals and 46 assists, and garnered 128 penalty minutes.

In the postseason, Dermott has participated in 22 games, where he earned two goals and three assists while averaging 15:42 minutes of ice time per game.

The Oilers’ decision to sign Dermott comes after procedural moves involving the placement of forward Evander Kane on long-term injured reserve. Additionally, the Oilers loaned forwards Matt Savoie and Cameron Wright to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors.

During his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dermott established himself as a reliable third-pairing defenseman known for his physicality. However, his performance has fluctuated in recent seasons. After being traded to the Canucks, he faced challenges, including a concussion that limited his appearances to 11 games in one season.

In his recent spell with Arizona, Dermott faced some of the toughest assignments of his career. He assumed a defensive role with a heavy emphasis on starting shifts in the defensive zone. Despite less than stellar possession stats, his role in Arizona provided valuable experience that the Oilers may seek to harness.

With the Oilers’ defensive lineup still in flux following off-season departures and cap constraints, Dermott’s arrival will provide additional options as the team looks to solidify its defensive pairings ahead of the upcoming season.