Leafs get huge boost on blue liner tonight with Dermott’s return

The Toronto Maple Leafs have activated Travis Dermott from injured reserve, clearing the way for the defenseman to make his season debut tonight against the Washington Capitals.

The 22-year-old blue liner has been missing since the start of the season. He underwent shoulder surgery in May, after the Leafs were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Bruins, and was out of action ever since. 

In order to insert Dermott in the lineup to face the Caps tonight, the Leafs assigned defenseman Kevin Gravel to the American Hockey League’s Toronto Marlies. He has no points in three games for the Leafs this season.

As for Dermott, the Leafs will greatly benefit from his addition to the lineup. He had four goals and 13 assists in 64 games in his first full season with the Leafs last year. He added one goal and two assists in seven playoff games.