Former Maple Leafs Defenseman Lands on Waivers Shortly After Getting Claimed
Former Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Dakota Mermis has been placed on waivers by the Utah Hockey Club.
Utah Hockey Club announced defenseman Dakota Mermis would be placed on waivers for the purpose of being assigned to the Tuscon Roadrunners of the American Hockey League.
Mermis was claimed off waivers by Utah HC from the Toronto Maple Leafs back in December.
This season, Mermis has played in just one game for Utah, registering zero points.
Mermis played 10 games for the Arizona Coyotes in 2017-2019, the team that the Utah HC acquired as it's assets after the team was placed as inactive.
Sportsnet Hockey Insider Elliotte Friedman first reported the news of Mermis going on waivers.
Mermis was signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs to a one-year contract at league minimum ($775K) in the off-season. After dealing with an injury that kept him out, Mermis was placed on waivers after playing in three games for the Leafs AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies. He did not play with the Leafs.
The team used a Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR) conditioning loan to keep Mermis down in the minors, burying his contract with the Marlies before putting him on waivers afterwards.
Toronto bypassed both because of the rules associated with NHL LTIR Conditioning Loans which allow a player to be sent down without needing waivers due to their long-term injury status.
Mermis has played parts of eight seasons in the National Hockey League with the Arizona Coyotes, New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, & the Utah Hockey Club. He has four goals, eight assists, & 12 points in 75 career NHL games played.
