The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed defenseman Dakota Mermis off waivers from the Utah Hockey Club on Friday. As the latter had been placed on waivers on December 12 by the Leafs (and claimed by Utah), the Ontario team can assign him directly to the AHL, since no other team in the circuit claimed him today. today.
Aged 30, Mermis signed a one-season pact with the Maple Leafs on July 2. He played three games in the AHL this season with the Toronto Marlies, recording one assist and posting a +2 rating. He only played one game in Utah, finishing that one with a -2 rating. In 75 games in the NHL, the American produced 12 points and received 39 penalty minutes.
Earlier today, the Toronto team agreed to a two-year contract extension to 27-year-old defender Philippe Myers, who was eligible to sign a new contract since January 1. The former Flyers, Predators and Lightning played 11 games on the Maple Leafs blue line this season, recording two assists. He will receive an average of $850,000 over the next two campaigns and will be an unrestricted free agent at the deadline.
All in all, by claiming Mermis and extending Myers’ contract, the Maple Leafs wanted to solidify their defensive depth, the two defenders having nearly 250 games of experience in the Bettman circuit. At the time of writing, Craig Berube’s squad ranks sixth in the overall NHL standings.
