Dermott allowed to learn on the job
Defenceman has Leafs’ trust
As much as defenceman Travis Dermott’s life has changed since he was recalled by the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 5, there has been one constant.
When Dermott makes mistakes, coach Mike Babcock and his staff keep sending Dermott over the boards, more than willing to let the 21-year-old learn on the job.
The importance of that to Dermott’s development can’t be underestimated.
“Glaring mistakes have not happened too frequently, but we have video sessions and we see multiple things I am doing wrong, things I can get better at,” Dermott said. “That’s good. I’m making mistakes and it means I am getting better if I am learning from them.
“It’s nice knowing they have that confidence in me and if I make one mistake they’re not going to sit me. As long as I keep getting better every game, they would not have any reason to do that.”
In Wednesday’s 6-3 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, Dermott played in his 16th game with the Leafs. He averaged 16 minutes, 29 seconds through the first 15.
Dermott is also handling social media a little differently since becoming a Leaf.
“I am definitely getting tweeted at more than I was when I was down with the Marlies,” Dermott said. “It’s not necessarily shutting it off and not seeing any of it, but kind of picking your areas. You see what you see, but you’re not digging deep. You do your job but you don’t think about that stuff.”
GOOD CHEMISTRY
Putting two cerebral players on the same line doesn’t automatically result in offensive success, but Jake Gardiner made a good point when asked about the chemistry between Auston Matthews and William Nylander.
“More than ever it’s two elite players kind of knowing where they are going to be most of the time and finding each other in those small little areas,” Gardiner said. “It’s a pretty good tandem.” To say the least. When Matthews and Nylander are clicking, life is hell for opposing defencemen and goalies.
“They make a lot of little give-and-go plays that mess up the opposition,” Nazem Kadri said. “I know that it’s tough to play against and that’s what helps generate offence.”