Canucks: Why a Tyler Myers trade scenario is vital for the rebuild

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Tyler Myers could easily stay put, at least for now.

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The towering defenceman could say ‘thanks but no thanks’ to a trade proposal which would see the veteran of 18 NHL seasons — including the last seven with the Vancouver Canucks — depart for an opportunity to chase a Stanley Cup.

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Going down with the ship, and being the last man to bail water to hopelessly keep it afloat, is in his DNA.

However, the reality of a Canucks roster rebuild and “running out of runway” — as he so aptly put it about being 36 years old and possibly considering a trade — have brought us to this place. He could waive his no-movement clause in hopes of a win-win scenario for both the team and the player.

None of that has yet to occur.

The Detroit Red Wings have reportedly presented a trade offer — possibly a second-round draft pick — but is that where Myers wants to land? He can bring to a proven performance pedigree and penalty-killing expertise for the two-month grind to win it all. And you would like to think playoff contenders such as the Dallas Stars or Colorado Avalanche would also be interested in Myers for roster depth.

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For Myers, who has another year left on his deal at a palatable $3 million US, he would have two cracks at hockey’s Holy Grail if he agreed to a suitable trade destination. And that’s hard to pass up now because his no-movement clause reverts to a 12-team, no-trade list next year.

“I have thought of that, obviously, and less runway,” Myers admitted to this reporter last month. “And there may not be that many more opportunities.”

For the Canucks, a Myers departure would be a signifiant shift in dynamics on and off the ice. His stature as a core piece of the puzzle, and admiration from his peers to be a caring confidant to smooth rough waters, will be one of the lasting impressions.

It’s not easy going through the daily drudgery on a last-place team. It eats at the soul and can kill the spirit. Especially in a hockey-mad market where everybody knows your name and game, and media presence is persistent. Regardless of the pressure, he embraced the challenges.

“I talk to Tyler Myers and have breakfast with him every day,” Canucks centre Max Sasson recently told Postmedia. “He’s great to me and all of us, and gives insight into how we can all get through this and grow as people and hockey players.”

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It has put Sasson in a place, at age 25 and with a two-year extension, to be a guy younger players can seek out for advice and guidance. He is not that far removed from grinding away to stay in The Show. So give Myers an assist for Sasson’s growing impact.

“If they’re a little hesitant to go up to the vets, they can talk to me. I have experience with the ups and down and love being a resource for whoever wants to talk to me,” said the AHL Calder Cup champion. “I lean on the experiences when I thought I would never even be here (NHL) and keep pushing to be a regular.”

Winger Drew O’Connor added good perspective on Myers following a tough 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday.

“He’s been a valuable part of the team for a long time and especially in a tight game like that, you want him on the ice and he’s definitely a leader,” said O’Connor. “You notice when he’s not there.”

As for Myers, a move would be new territory, even though it puts a strain on his wife and three young children, but all any player ever wants to do is win.

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The Canucks are dead last and have missed the playoffs four of the last five campaigns. They are committed to adding draft picks and getting younger and eventually better. Myers will never stop caring, but does he really want to keep losing?

The 6-foot-8 Myers is playing better, is healthy, and durable. So why not move on?

In four of his six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, the 2010 Calder Trophy winner only experienced a pair of first-round exits. He got to the Western Conference final with the Winnipeg Jets in 2018, a WHL final with the Kelowna Rockets in 2009, and a trio of triumphs with Team Canada — U-18 (2008), world junior (2009) and world championship (2023) — but never The Big One.

It’s why there are plenty of plaudits about his possible pursuit career pursuit elsewhere.

“He’s a great guy and a great human,” said Canucks head coach Adam Foote, a former long-serving defenceman and two-time Stanley Cup champion. “Really enjoy coaching him, and every year it seems you lose one you like and it’s part of the game. He’s a real pro.”

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It would also leave the Canucks in a place of hope, which is exactly where they need to be, once Myers decides a possible trade destination.

They know the rebuild will be long and hard, but there are already flashes of what could be on the back end. In Zeev Buium (20), Tom Willander (21), Elias Pettersson (22), and Victor Mancini (23), there’s an intriguing combination of speed, playmaking, grit and grind.

“As a coach, you want to have veterans and the best players in the world, but this is a different situation of development,” added Foote. “It was discussed in January where this organization wants to go and it will give a guy like Willander more reps and prepared for situations faster.

“If he has to play in a place where he might not be ready now, just look at our league. Guys are playing at 18, 19 and 20.”

bkuzma@postmedia.com

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