Former Erie Otter Travis Dermott destined for desert during recent NHL offseason moves
Travis Dermott and Alex DeBrincat, each former Erie Otters, were their latest alumni on the move during the National Hockey League's current offseason:
Travis Dermott: Arizona Coyotes
Term: one-year, two-way contract; terms not disclosed per team policy
Why he got paid: Dermott, because of concussion issues, only appeared in 11 games last season for Vancouver. It was a reason the Canucks let go of the defenseman after two years.
Signing with Arizona means Dermott will skate for an American NHL franchise for the first time. He broke into the league with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who chose him during the second round of its 2015 draft.
Otters career: Dermott played for the Otters from 2013-16. He managed 17 goals during the regular season, plus another eight during Erie's postseason appearances over that same span.
DeBrincat to Detroit
Alex DeBrincat, a restricted free agent, let it be known he had no interest in a long-term contract to return to the Ottawa Senators. Talk of a trade inevitably followed.
Such a transaction became reality last weekend. That’s when the Detroit Red Wings acquired the right-winger in exchange for left winger Dominik Kubalik, defenseman Donovan Sebrango and two picks, including a conditional first-rounder, during the 2024 NHL draft.
Detroit then signed DeBrincat, who played for Erie from 2014-17, to a four-year deal at an average of $7.8 million per season.
DeBrincat also began his NHL career with one of its Original Six franchises. The Chicago Blackhawks picked him in the second round of the 2016 draft.
Since then, DeBrincat has scored 187 goals over 450 games between the Blackhawks and Senators.
He totaled 167 goals over three seasons in an Erie sweater.
More: This defenseman once played for Stan Butler. Now they'll coach the Erie Otters together.
Connor Brown: Edmonton Oilers
Term: $750,000, one year
Why he got paid: Brown played just four games for the Washington Capitals in a 2022-23 season mostly lost due to injury but, before that, the winger posted 47 goals and 70 assists across three seasons with Ottawa. The eight-year NHL veteran can earn up to $3.25 million in performance-based incentives this season and will re-connect with former Otters teammate Connor McDavid, who centers Edmonton’s top line.
Otters career: A 13th-round selection in the 2010 Ontario Hockey League Priority Draft, Brown scored 98 goals and dished out 152 assists in three seasons with Erie from 2011-2014. He was team captain in 2012-13 and, the next year, led the OHL in assists (83) and points (128) while playing alongside McDavid and current Washington forward Dylan Strome on an Otters team that lost in the Western Conference finals. Brown once held the Otters’ franchise record for most points in a season.
Ryan O’Reilly: Nashville Predators
Terms: $18 million, 4 years
Why he got paid: O’Reilly will play for the fifth different team in his 14-year NHL career after a midseason trade sent him from St. Louis to Toronto during 2022-23. He posted 30 points in 53 games last season before tallying three goals and six assists in nine postseason games, helping the Maple Leafs over Tampa Bay in what was the franchise’s first playoff series victory since 2004. O’Reilly captained St. Louis for three seasons and was the Conn Smythe Trophy winner for the postseason’s Most Valuable Player during the Blues' Stanley Cup-winning run in 2019.
Otters career: The first overall selection in the 2007 OHL Draft, O’Reilly netted 35 goals and 83 assists across 129 games with Erie from 2007-2009. He was the team’s Rookie of the Year in 2007-08.
Former Otter Dansk signs two-way NHL deal
Calgary Flames goaltender Oscar Dansk signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000. Dansk played 17 games last season for Flames AHL affiliate Calgary Wranglers, posting an 8-6-2 record with a 2.75 goals-against average. He has appeared in six NHL games, five of them starts in three seasons with the Vegas Golden Knights, going 4-1-0.
Dansk appeared in 85 games in two seasons with the Otters from 2012-14.
Ex-Otters Golod still unsigned
Forward Maxim Golod has yet to sign a deal.
Three years ago, Golod, 22, signed with the Anaheim as a free agent. The left winger, who played for Erie from 2017-20 and compiled 54 goals and 92 assists, was traded to Chicago on March 2.
However, Golod still awaits his initial NHL shift.
Ducks' Drysdale likely to field offer
Meanwhile, another Anaheim player, defenseman Jamie Drysdale, also a restricted free agent, received a qualifying offer by the Ducks. They now retain negotiating rights if Drysdale is given an offer sheet.
Anaheim chose Drysdale, 21, with the sixth overall pick in the 2020 NHL draft. He concluded his entry-level contract on a down note, as he only played eight games last season before undergoing shoulder surgery.
Otters on the move: Which Otters players were selected to participate in an NHL development camp?
Staff writer Mike Copper contributed to this report.
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@timesnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Former Erie Otters star Alex DeBrincat traded to Detroit Red Wings
