The Edmonton Oilers have officially claimed defenseman Travis Dermott off waivers from the Minnesota Wild, marking his return to the team as of February 26, 2025. After initially signing with the Oilers on a professional tryout (PTO) earlier this season, he played 10 games without recording any points before being placed on waivers and later claimed by the Wild.
While with the Minnesota Wild, Dermott again struggled to find his footing, appearing in just nine games and also failing to register any points, averaging 11:23 minutes of ice time. His lack of production at this level has raised questions about his capability moving forward. With their defensive lineup back to full health, the Wild elected to waive Dermott, allowing the Oilers to seize the opportunity to bring him back.
Dermott's career has been somewhat tumultuous, characterized by injuries and inconsistent performance. Previously, he had stints with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and the Arizona Coyotes. Despite being drafted 34th overall by the Maple Leafs back in 2015, Dermott’s time with the team was overshadowed by injuries. The 28-year-old has played 348 career NHL games, scoring 16 goals and adding 46 assists, but missed significant time due to a concussion during the preseason back in the 2022-23 season.
Since his original tenure with the Oilers this season, Dermott had not impressed fans or management, falling silent on the score sheet through both his initial and most recent appearances. His recent performances raise the stakes for Edmonton, who have struggled on the defensive front, especially following their recent streak of losses out of the 4 Nations Face-Off break, where they were outscored 17-6, prompting criticisms about defensive depth.
“Welcome back, Travis Dermott!” the official Edmonton Oilers Twitter account announced, indicating optimism about the defenseman's return. Oilers GM Stan Bowman has addressed concerns about depth on the left side of the defense, stating, “Our top three lefties have been excellent… if one of them were to get injured, then yeah, we don’t have experienced depth on the left side.” This signals how pivotal Dermott's role could be; even leading to potential AHL assignments to develop his game and regain confidence.
With the proximity of the trade deadline looming, claiming Dermott may also serve as strategic insurance for the Oilers, particularly if roster changes are to be made. His contract, with a cap hit of $775,000, is easy to accommodate, allowing Edmonton flexibility as they navigate through their roster and possible trade opportunities.
Despite his past issues, the Oilers remain hopeful. His re-acquisition might not only provide extra depth but also the chance for Dermott to finally capitalize on the potential he yielded back when he was part of Toronto’s highly regarded prospect lineup. There’s no denying the Oilers are banking on seeing more from Dermott than the lackluster performance displayed during his first tenure. The front office likely views this as another opportunity for him to step up and prove his worth as the team eyes on-the-ice adjustments to bolster their playoff ambitions.
The Oilers are set to face the Florida Panthers shortly, and speculation is growing about whether Dermott will be in the lineup or headed to the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors. Regardless, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this next chapter for Travis Dermott plays out with the Oilers.