Tyler Myers Traded to Dallas: Nucko’s Thoughts

Here come the trades. On Wednesday, the Canucks traded Tyler Myers to the Dallas Stars (50% retained) for a 2027 2nd round pick and a 2029 4th round pick. This trade isn't a complete shock, as Myers had been held out of the Canucks' lineup for "roster-management purposes" the past 3 games, but it still wasn't a guarantee that he would be waiving his No-Movement Clause.

Reports prior to Vancouver's game against Winnipeg last week were that Myers was against the idea of leaving Vancouver. He clearly had his family at the top of his priority list. Eventually, he clearly warmed up to the idea. Since he was born in Houston and has family in Texas, Dallas was his first choice (as reported by Rick Dhaliwal). I'm glad that the NMC gave him the power to choose his destiny, and he could waive it to go to a city he felt comfortable in.

The Canucks' return here is great. Nothing mind-blowing, especially because that 2nd next year is likely to be later in the round, but it is absolutely the most anyone could have expected out of trading a 36-year-old. The Canucks don't have their own 2nd round pick next year, as it was traded to Chicago with Ilya Mikheyev and Sam Lafferty, so it's nice to add this pick to the San Jose 2nd next year. They can't just be stocking up on draft picks this year if they want to actually complete a rebuild. I like the choice of focusing on future drafts as well.

Despite Myers being a solid leader for this team, I think it's absolutely fine to move on from him. The Canucks still have Filip Hronek and Marcus Pettersson on the blue line to act as leaders, so even if Myers' skates are big ones to fill (literally), I believe that those two can do it.

Myers' tenure in Vancouver was a rollercoaster. In 2019, Myers signed in Vancouver on a 5 year deal worth $6 million per year. Just an absolutely classic Jim Benning contract. Though Myers was never really able to live up to that steep price tag, he was able to do what Loui Eriksson couldn't: become a fan-favourite anyway. He initially received a lot of hate from the fanbase, but his heart, character, and leadership turned around the consensus opinion on him. The leadership qualities that Myers possesses are especially emphasized, particularly by his teammates, which had to have made it difficult to trade him. 

Myers ends his Canucks career with 138 points in 488 games. It seemed he was always good for one randomly-impressive goal per year, but mainly, it was his size and stature that made him an effective defensive player. He should slot in nicely for the Stars, a team that severely lacks right-handed defensemen. It will be nice to see Myers play playoff hockey again. He's only seen the Conference Finals once, with Winnipeg in 2018. Dallas is apparently a guaranteed Western Conference Finals exit every season, but at least he should get to that point again!

There are still 2 days to go until the trade deadline hits, and the Canucks have more work to do. Conor Garland is a name that's been in a ton of rumours the past couple of days. They should definitely be committed to moving him. Teddy Blueger, who is a UFA at the end of the season, should be another one to go at some point before the deadline. Then, of course, there's Evander Kane. Hopefully he's traded next.

The Canucks certainly have their work cut out for them, but they still have time. We'll see.