Insider claims Oilers have signed former Leafs defenceman to tryout contract

Edmonton Sports Talk Radio Show host Dustin Nielson broke the news on-air today, confirming reports from several Oilers insiders in the last few weeks. Shortly afterward, Frank Seravalli confirmed the agreement.

Travis Dermott is a 27 year old, 6 foot tall left shot defenceman. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round in 2015, and went on to play parts of five seasons with the team. Since then, he's gone on to play 329 career NHL games, also spending time with the Vancouver Canucks and most recently, the Arizona Coyotes. The Oilers had plenty of other candidates to consider for a tryout contract, including Tyson Barrie, Justin Schultz, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Mark Giordano.

Oilers insider Bob Stauffer had heavily suggested that Dermott is the prime candidate for a tryout contract this season. Dermott was one of the youngest candidates out there, which may be an asset given the amount of older players on the Oilers. He's also able to play both sides of the ice, and has some history playing under coach Knoblauch with the Erie Otters. Dermott is a mobile defender who can move the puck well, but can make defensive mistakes and the occasional disastrous pass.

Dermott will be a candidate to play some games for the Oilers this season as their seventh defenceman. Hopefully, the Oilers will be able to unlock the best version yet of Travis Dermott.