Toronto Maple Leafs Send Fringe Defenseman Back Down to the Marlies
The Toronto Maple Leafs lost to the Vancouver Canucks last night and immediately after the game, the team sent down a defenseman to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
Dakota Mermis had been called up recently due to an injury to Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
However, OEL continued to play and Mermis was never able to crack the Maple Leafs lineup, which has been a frequent occurrence this season.
Dakota Mermis back to the Toronto Marlies
Mermis was even stolen by the Utah Hockey Club off of waiver earlier in the season, only for the Leafs to take him right back.
Unfortunately, the defenseman has only been able to play AHL games, and that is not going to change, anytime soon.
After a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night, it was revealed that Dakota Mermis would be sent back down to the Toronto Marlies.
This is a move that was made right before the two-week break for the 4 Nations Face-Off, which is this year's version of the All-Star Game.
Overall, a lot of fans are excited for the international tournament which will see the best players in the entire NHL take to the ice in a best-on-best situation.
For guys like Mermis, a demotion does put his NHL career in limbo for the moment and there is no telling how many opportunities he will get this year.
He only played one game with the Utah Hockey Club and his time with the Minnesota Wild wasn't exactly fruitful either.
Needless to say, time might be running out for Mermis to carve out a role for himself in the National Hockey League.
