Travis Dermott, D
If Josh Brown wasn’t available, the Red Wings could also roll with someone like Travis Dermott, who put together a respectable but not as solid of a 2023-24 season as Brown. Dermott still gave the team formerly known as the Coyotes more than one block and one hit per game, so he’s a physical, fearless player who would also have the potential to keep the net clear.
Like Brown, Dermott is a part-timer who saw action in 50 games this season, but he registered more ice time at 17:17 per contest and put up two goals and seven points in the process. Also, like Brown, Dermott skated on the penalty kill, but his overall results weren’t as encouraging, with an on-ice goals allowed rate of 22 and an on-ice save percentage of 83.5.
He was also on the ice for just 22 goals for at even strength, while the Coyotes allowed 37 in the same situation. His possession quality wasn’t as bad as Brown’s, but when you look at actual advanced statistics, Brown performed better.
Dermott’s xGF at even strength sat at 27.7 in 2023-24, and his xGA was 33.9. While the numbers speak for themselves, Dermott would still make a serviceable consolation in free agency behind Brown if the Wings needed one more blueliner and happened to see him available from Utah’s roster.