The Toronto Maple Leafs' defence depth could take a hit.
Blue-liner Dakota Mermis was placed on waivers on Tuesday alongside a pair of Columbus Blue Jackets in Zach Aston-Reese and Brendan Gaunce, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported.
Mermis has been on injured reserve since Dec. 10 after taking a knee-on-knee hit from Tampa Bay Lightning forward Gage Goncalves. He was loaned to the AHL's Toronto Marlies for a conditioning stint on Jan. 12.
He appeared in 11 games with the Maple Leafs on the season, scoring once.
Aston-Reese, a 31-year-old journeyman winger, has skated in 26 games for Columbus this season, potting one goal and four assists. In 415 career games also with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Maple Leafs, he has 49 goals and 53 assists.
Gaunce, 31, has skated in 25 games for the Blue Jackets this season with two goals and four assists.
The centre owns 15 goals and 20 assists in 214 career games also with the Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins and Minnesota Wild.
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