Maple Leafs send Dermott to AHL to make room for Nylander

William Nylander arrives in Toronto a day after he signed a 6-year $41.77 million contract with the Maple Leafs.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have temporarily sent defenceman Travis Dermott to the AHL’s Toronto Marlies to make room for William Nylander on their active NHL roster, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.

Dermott was chosen to be sent down because he doesn’t need to clear waivers to go to the AHL. However, the Maple Leafs will need to waive or trade someone else off their NHL roster to clear space for Dermott if they want him to play in Tuesday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Nylander, 22, signed a six-year contract with the Maple Leafs on Saturday, minutes before a deadline that would have forced the restricted free agent to miss the entire season. He arrived in Toronto Sunday from Sweden but it’s unclear for now if he will be in the lineup against the Sabres.

Dermott, 21, has skated in 24 of the Maple Leafs 27 games this season. He’s averaging 17:45 of ice time in those games and has one goal and six points.

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