Travis Dermott’s forced number change sent Leafs fans into a trade-theory frenzy

Travis Dermott is here at #Leafs practice, although he hasn't been officially recalled.

He's wearing #23 now, instead of #3.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 15, 2018

Asked Travis Dermott if it was his idea to change from #23 to #3. He laughed. Said he wasn’t about to be coming in telling people what number he wanted. It was on his helmet and that’s what he’s going with now.

— Kristen Shilton (@kristen_shilton) January 15, 2018

Leafs front office: “it’s the end of a quiet bye week for our team. What can we do to let everyone know we’re back?”

Reporters: “Travis Dermott’s number changed.”

Leaf fans: “DJFLJFHJKDFHJLDS!!! WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?!?”

— sarah (@veritas_11) January 16, 2018

Jack Johnson Toronto bound?!?

— jared mullin (@jarematmul) January 16, 2018

Probably a Louism about rookies not being allowed single digit numbers

— Spencer Fascetta (@PuckNerdHockey) January 16, 2018

Theyre retiring Phaneufs number, arent they...

— Bye Week Lad (@HardevLad) January 15, 2018

Omg Jack Johnson?!? Nooooooo

— Reidermeister 🥅🏒 (@reidermeister) January 15, 2018

@JeffVeillette please don't tell me the leafs re-acquired Dion lol

— Daniel Tiller (@tiller_daniel) January 15, 2018

Without explanation, Travis Dermott makes the switch from #3 to #23 — Hit me with your best and most outrageous theories, go! #TMLTalk

— Gord Brown (@GordBrown_) January 15, 2018

There is a move coming in #Leafs land... Only makes sense with Dermott switching to 23... But wonder who/what’s up?? 🤔

Pysyk?
Martin?
OEL?
Gudbranson?
Demers?
Hjalmarsson?
Karlsson?#TMLTalk

— KB (@KPBails) January 15, 2018

@Steve_Dangle Since Dermott changed his number from #3 to #23 could we be getting Carl Grundstrom from SHL? since he wears #3?

— Nick (@_NicoIas) January 15, 2018

So Travis Dermott is back at practice, but is no longer wearing #3 (now #23) & people are speculating this means a new player who wears #3 is incoming.

To which I respond with......

PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DON’T BE DION PHANEUF

Carry on. #DermottJerseyGate

— Juno (@junotheleafs) January 15, 2018

travis dermott changed his number from 3 to 23. Dion Phaneuf is available on the trade block. Conclusion: phaneuf to toronto confirmed.

— hamza (@hamzaasheik) January 16, 2018

#DermottJerseyGate Scenarios:

Leafs Mgmt got tired of the OEL rumours, so they decided to give Dermott OEL’s number (#23) 😮

OR

Leafs Mgmt is secretly acquiring OEL and sees this as a way to throw smoke 💨

OR

They realized he looked ugly in 3.

This is pointless...

— Juno (@junotheleafs) January 15, 2018

I guess the Leafs won't be trading for Oliver Ekman Larsson since they gave Dermott #23.

Here are the NHL players wearing #3. https://t.co/6UlHrmTQUP

— ChurchOfMatthews (@hockeeyyy) January 15, 2018

Travis Dermott will now wear 23 for the Leafs. Couldn't be an Eddie Shack fan, could he?

— steve simmons (@simmonssteve) January 15, 2018