He's going to be one of the bigger (literally) players to hit free agency when the annual open marketplace begins this Monday afternoon, but where exactly are the best potential landing spots for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers?
It doesn't appear as though there has been any meaningful progress between the two sides on a new deal, via noted hockey insider Chris Johnston, h/t NHL Trade Rumors.
“Tyler Myers is a good bet now not to stay with the Canucks,” he reported. “I know he wanted to but it doesn't sound like the talks have been productive towards getting a deal.”
Despite the fact that Myers is on the wrong side of 30 years of age, he's still a capable blue liner with a heavy right-handed shot and an impressive 6'8 frame along with extensive NHL playoff experience.
Since he'll almost certainly hit the free agency market, let's take a look at some of the top potential landing spots.
Tyler Myers lands with Senators
One particularly intriguing possibility for Myers would be as a replacement in the Canadian capital city of Ottawa for defenseman Jacob Chychrun, who isn't expected to be back with the club next season.
Senators general manager Steve Staios will be looking to make meaningful moves in his first official offseason on the job, and he's already upgraded his team's goaltending by sending the underachieving Joonas Korpisalo to the Boston Bruins in exchange for Linus Ullmark. Adding a piece like Myers, especially with the expected pending departure of Chychrun, would help go a long way in endearing himself to Senators fans.
Adding the size and snarl that Myers boasts couldn't hurt Ottawa either, especially in the heavily competitive Atlantic Division. They expect to be battling it out with fellow rebuilding clubs like the Sabres and Red Wings for a playoff spot.
Sabres nab Myers
Speaking of the Sabres, landing in Western New York would also be a possible situation for Myers to find himself in. The perpetually mediocre Sabres haven't qualified for the playoffs since 2011, and fans have understandably gotten beyond the point of restlessness. As you remember, Myers was on the last Sabres squad to play beyond the regular season when they dropped that hard-fought seven-game series against the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
Buffalo already boasts young Owen Power on the blue line and Myers's presence could help insulate him along with Henri Jokiharju. Additionally, it would allow Myers to potentially finish his career where it began. Right now, the Sabres are projected to enjoy approximately $23 million in cap space, and a contract for Myers could be easily arranged within the constraints of the cap.
Tyler Myers joins Panthers
Still basking in the glow and glory of their first-ever Stanley Cup championship, the Panthers are only getting their summer party started. But eventually, they'll have to return to the ice in the fall to defend their title.
With nearly $20 million worth of cap space and no guarantee that veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson returns for a second go-around with the club, Myers' right-handed shot and physical play would fit in nicely with the game plan of head coach Paul Maurice.
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