Canucks Trade Myers; Whipping Boy Turned 'Respected Leader'

Let’s face it, the Canucks had no plans for 36-year-old defenceman Tyler Myers being part of their rebuild, so it should come as no surprise whatsoever that he was finally dealt.

“Finally” means a couple of things. First, his name has been out there for a couple weeks and it was apparent he was on the move when he was pulled from the line-up seven days ago. Secondly, he was the whipping boy for two seasons after first arriving in Vancouver as a free agent in the summer of 2019.

The player most criticized in the Canucks press box through the 2021-’22 season was Myers, and there was no close second. So from that standpoint, those who never grew to like him, finally have their day.

One of the largest humans ever to play in the NHL, at 6-foot-8 and 230-pounds, Myers fetches a 2nd-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a 4th-rounder in 2029 from the Dallas Stars.

The Canucks retain half of his $3-million cap hit and salary, a contract that includes one more full season.

“Tyler is a good player. His cap hit was fairly low, and when you cut it in half, it makes it more appealing for teams,” Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin said. “But again, it’s hard, Tyler controlled this move and I respect him and his agent (J.P. Barry), and thankfully it ended up being a good destination for Tyler and a good return for the Vancouver Canucks.”

“A great leader, great human,” Canucks coach Adam Foote told media. “Going to miss being around a guy like that, a true professional every day. ‘Mysy’ will be missed for sure. He handled himself through this process pretty damn good, professional, came to work, good attitude, just shows you what he’s all about. I think he’ll leave his mark on this dressing room for a long time.”

The Stars, presently on a ten-game winning streak, add right side depth to the blueline of a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. Myers has never won one.

After winning the Calder Trophy as NHL rookie of the year in 2010 and spending five-and-a-half seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Myers played the next four-and-a-half for the Winnipeg Jets. A majority of his career has been with the Canucks, almost seven full seasons. He played 488 regular season games and 22 more for Vancouver in the playoffs.