The Vancouver Canucks organization had an awareness of Tyler Myers’s impending departure.
On February 25th, the professional hockey team excluded the veteran 36-year-old defenseman from active play, attributing the move to “roster management” amidst escalating trade speculations.
These speculations materialized into fact this past Wednesday, as the Canucks completed a transaction sending Myers to the Dallas Stars in exchange for a 2027 second-round draft pick and a 2029 fourth-round choice. The Vancouver team is set to cover fifty percent of Myers’s $3 million U.S. salary cap obligation for the upcoming season.
The closing time for trades in the National Hockey League is scheduled for Friday at 3 o’clock in the afternoon Eastern Time.
Winger Brock Boeser remarked, “It’s clear he’s among the more senior players on our squad, and he exemplifies exceptional leadership and character. He consistently approaches his duties professionally, providing a commendable benchmark for the newer players. Consequently, his absence will be felt. Nevertheless, he merits the opportunity to pursue a Stanley Cup victory.”
In spite of the circulating buzz, Myers maintained his dedication throughout the previous week. Although he was not dressed for Vancouver’s most recent trio of matches, he persisted in participating in practice sessions and pre-game routines, all while embodying leadership within the locker room environment.
Prior to the Canucks’ home game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday, Boeser commented that such conduct illustrates the caliber of his character.
“His management of the situation was exemplary; he reported to the arena daily, even with the widespread expectation of his trade, maintaining focus on his performance, frequenting the gym, interacting with teammates, and behaving as though he were remaining,” he articulated. “I believe that demonstrated a profound significance.”
The imposing six-foot-eight Canadian defenseman, a native of Houston, was completing his seventh season with the Canucks (holding a record of 18 wins, 35 losses, and 7 ties), having joined the squad as an unrestricted free agent in July 2019, and had accumulated a stat line of one goal and seven assists across 57 appearances during the 205-26 season.
‘Several Clubs Indicated Interest’
His current agreement, valid until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, includes a complete no-movement provision, prompting Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin to discuss its potential waiver with Myers during the previous week, following an intensification of discussions.
Allvin stated, “A small number of organizations conveyed their interest.”
“Tyler communicated his preference for a limited selection of desired locations,” he continued. “I had not anticipated how rapidly things would progress this morning, but Dallas was at the forefront of his choices. Therefore, after departing my residence, I engaged in discussions with Dallas, and by the time I traversed the Burrard Bridge, the transaction had been finalized.”
Initially chosen as the twelfth overall pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2008, Myers was awarded the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league’s most outstanding first-year player subsequent to the 2009-10 season.
Currently, he is participating in his seventeenth season in the National Hockey League, accumulating appearances for Vancouver, Buffalo, and the Winnipeg Jets across a total of 1,123 regular-season contests. Throughout his tenure in the league, he has registered 100 goals and contributed 303 assists.
He is presently embarking on his seventeenth NHL campaign, having spent periods with the Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, and Winnipeg Jets, participating in 1,123 regular-season matchups, where he has tallied 100 goals and provided 303 assists during this extensive career.
Myers held the role of an alternate captain for the Canucks and was recognized for his articulate influence within the team’s locker room. During games, he frequently partnered with several of Vancouver’s emerging defensemen, notably playing alongside Quinn Hughes in the burgeoning stages of the star athlete’s career.
Canucks head coach Adam Foote commented, “An exceptional leader, a genuinely good person. I will miss his presence; he was a model professional on a daily basis.”
“I anticipate his impact on this locker room will be enduring.”
Tanev’s Season Cut Short at 11 Appearances
The National Hockey League franchise, the Toronto Maple Leafs, declared that their defenseman, Chris Tanev, will not play for the remainder of the current season.
According to the Leafs, the experienced player successfully underwent an operation for a core muscle injury in New York City.
The 36-year-old Tanev participated in merely eleven contests in what has become a campaign plagued by multiple physical setbacks.
This formidable six-foot-three, 200-pound defensive specialist has been absent from play since December 28th, when his team suffered a 3-2 overtime defeat on the road against Detroit.
Tanev is projected to be fit enough to join the training camp activities scheduled for September.
Tanev has accumulated 36 goals and 210 points across 878 regular-season NHL matchups since his entry into the league as an undrafted free agent during the 2010-11 season. His career has also included stints with Vancouver, Calgary, and Dallas.
Sherwood Inks Five-Year Deal
On Wednesday, the San Jose Sharks formalized a five-year, $28.75 million contract extension with forward Kiefer Sherwood, approximately six weeks subsequent to his acquisition via trade from Vancouver.
For the 30-year-old Sherwood, the Sharks had previously traded their 2026 and 2027 second-round draft selections along with minor league defenseman Cole Clayton to Vancouver on January 19th, with the aspiration of securing the impending unrestricted free agent with a protracted agreement prior to Friday’s trade cutoff.
General manager Mike Grier expressed, “We are immensely pleased that Kiefer will continue with San Jose and contribute to the collective we are constructing. The attributes he consistently provides to our roster harmonizes exceptionally with the proficiencies of his fellow players, and we anticipate his valuable input in the forthcoming years.”
San Jose finalized this agreement just one day after Sherwood recorded his inaugural goal in five appearances for the Sharks, a power-play marker that served as the decisive goal against Montreal.
Sherwood sustained an injury at the time of his acquisition from the Canucks and has since registered one goal and one assist across five contests with San Jose. Previously, Sherwood topped the Canucks in scoring with 17 goals through their initial 48 games, alongside six assists.
The Sharks have secured victories in their last three consecutive matches and commenced Wednesday positioned just outside of a playoff berth, having accumulated 64 points over 59 games. At present, Edmonton occupies the ultimate wild-card position with 68 points from 62 games, whereas Seattle holds third place in the Pacific Division with 67 points across 60 games played.
Throughout his 314 professional career appearances, Sherwood has amassed 61 goals and 62 assists, with 47 of those goals being scored since the commencement of the 2023-24 playing season.
