Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman out for weeks following surgery

This summer, general manager Brad Treliving strengthened the team's blue line with a number of noteworthy acquisitions. Apart from Jani Hakanpaa, Chris Tanev, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, he also signed depth players like Dakota Mermis.

The Maple Leafs revealed a new development: Dakota Mermis underwent jaw surgery yesterday and is now listed on the injury reserve for a week at a time.

Mermis, 30, was a long shot to make the NHL roster out of training camp when he inked a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Maple Leafs two days into free agency this past offseason. The six-foot blueliner had a career-high 47 appearances for the Minnesota Wild last season, scoring three goals and dishing out five assists. He played fill-in for the second penalty-kill unit and averaged 14:05 of ice time per game.

Having played professionally in the AHL for the majority of his career, Mermis has a wealth of knowledge in that league. He has appeared in 431 games for the Iowa Wild, Binghamton Devils, Tucson Roadrunners, and Springfield Falcons since 2015.

We're not sure how Mermis would perform in the NHL this season given the depth of talent on the Leafs' defensive line. He should spend the entire season in the AHL unless three or four important players are hurt. The Leafs have shown incredible talent in the training camp thus far, and we find it hard to believe they will pass on him in favor of Marshall Rifai, Topi Niemela, or Cade Webber.

With the Marlies, he might be in a great position to help the younger guys grow. Niemela, Webber, and 2024 first-round selection Ben Danford could all gain a lot of knowledge from Mermis.

Since signing as an undrafted free agent with the Arizona Coyotes in 2017-18, Mermis has gritted out seven seasons in the NHL. The native of Alton, Illinois, also had a brief 10-game stint with the New Jersey Devils in 2019-20; however, he has spent the previous four seasons with the Wild. In 74 career games, he has 12 points and four goals.

The Leafs and Canadiens will play the second game of their home-and-home exhibition series on Saturday night in Montreal.