Travis Dermott has a message for Paul Coffey
Travis Dermott has been making some noise for the Edmonton Oilers this preseason, and according to the 2 Mutts Podcast, the Oilers have started contract negotiations.
Regardless, Dermott has proved his overall worth to the team and has shown he has lots of game left in him.
Yesterday, Dermott had a very strong performance against the Seattle Kraken. He scored the second goal for the Oilers, demonstrating impressive finishing capabilities. In addition to his goal, Dermott was absolutely flying last night. He was noticeably joining the offensive rush, and was defensively sounds in the Oilers back end. Funny enough, he attributed his confident style of play to Oilers assistant coach Paul Coffey.
Dermott has found comfort with the Oilers despite his situation on a PTO. He acknowledges the belief that assistant coach Paul Coffey puts in his defencemen every shift and the coaching staff's willingness to let him play to his strengths despite the expected mistakes of the preseason, and that's allowed him to focus a lot more on improving over Camp.
"I think [Coffey] is behind me, giving me tips and telling me to get up on the play pretty much every shift I'm out there. So that really goes far for players. I don't know how many people behind the TV can really see that, but it speaks volumes for the type of guy he is. He's obviously been through it all, so it's great to have him and you can really trust his voice and everything he's saying."
Dermott's statement is an overall testament to Paul Coffey's coaching style. Since being hired last year, the over strength of the Oilers defensive core has steadily improved.
source: NHL
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