The 25-year-old defenseman, who has scored five points (one goal, four assists) in 43 games this season, has one season remaining on a two-year, $3 million contract ($1.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Maple Leafs on July 8, 2021. He can become a restricted free agent after next season.
"Vancouver has been my team in the past," Dermott said. "I've always kind of had the Canucks in the back of my mind, but I never really thought that I'd be here. But I'm super excited to be here now, and I'm just super excited to meet the boys and get everything started.
"I think it's a great opportunity for me. Lineups change, hockey happens and there's some new competition that comes through. Things happened in Toronto in a way that maybe I wasn't planning for it to happen, but I think a new start for me right now is perfect. Super happy to be staying in Canada for sure. … It seems like a perfect time and a perfect place for me to get a little reset."
Selected by Toronto in the second round (No. 34) of the 2015 NHL Draft, Dermott has scored 52 points (12 goals, 40 assists) in 251 regular-season games and five points (two goals, three assists) in 22 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
"Obviously we talked about getting a little bit younger here," Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin said. "Travis can play both left and right side. Our pro scouts and our analytics department were excited about him, and I've had the opportunity to follow him for a couple years here in Toronto.
"I think it fit in the mold in terms of being a younger defenseman that we have control over the next couple of years, and I think Travis is excited to get to Vancouver here for a fresh start, and hopefully we can help him to maximize his potential."
The Canucks also traded defenseman Travis Hamonic to the Ottawa Senators on Sunday for a third-round pick in the 2022 draft.
After trading Dermott, the Maple Leafs acquired defenseman Mark Giordano and forward Colin Blackwell in a trade with the Seattle Kraken for a second-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, a second-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft and a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Seattle will retain 50 percent of Giordano's contract.
