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Towering defenceman had more commitment, consistency, points and hits in an NHL season of rejuvenation worthy of palatable new deal.
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Published Jun 02, 2024 • 4 minute read
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Tyler Myers is expected to be destined for a three-year extension at US$3 million annually. Photo by Derek Cain /Getty Images
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The system is the solution.
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That could easily be a sound bite from a motivational speaker attempting to evoke enthusiasm because there’s always a path from the chaos and struggle to success and confidence.
For Tyler Myers, that speaker is Adam Foote.
The Vancouver Canucks assistant coach, who used size and smarts as an imposing defender to capture two Stanley Cup championships, reached Myers on a relatable level.
The pending unrestricted free agent managed reduced minutes with more commitment, consistency, points and hits, and less indecision, turnovers and bad penalties in an NHL season of rejuvenation.
Myers, 34, is expected to be destined for a three-year extension at US$3 million annually, or perhaps an extra year if he takes less. He has made his money. This is all about the fit on and off the ice for Myers, who resides in Kelowna during the off-season.
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Simply put, he wants to stay.
“I would love to,” said Myers. “What we’ve been able to build here the last 1 1/2 years is really special to be a part of. It’s an unbelievable city and the fans were quite amazing in the playoffs. Everybody should be proud of buying into where we’re trying to take the group.”
Myers turned an average of 18:57 minutes per outing in 2023-24 — less than 20:54 and 21:58 the previous two seasons and first time he’s been below the 20-minute plateau in a 16-season career — into looking like he’s got years left on the hockey odometer.
This season, his 29 points (5-24) are the most since he recorded 31 in the 2018-19 season with the Winnipeg Jets and his plus-16 rating is a career high. That’s why stick taps to Foote and the coaching staff are constant.
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“I’m a big structure guy and most are,” added Myers. “There is just no guessing in the game. I’m not wondering where I’m supposed to be or do in any situation. It makes life a whole lot easier.
“Footy (Foote) has been an amazing guy that I’ve really leaned on since he came in. But the whole coaching dynamic from last year to now — including Gonch (defensive coach Sergei Gonchar) is a big reason why we were able to turn it around so quickly.
“And with Footy, you can tell guys are really benefiting from him. It’s just the way he communicates. It’s awesome.”
Vancouver Canucks’ Tyler Myers celebrates a goal against the Calgary Flames on April 16, 2024. Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet likes big defenceman who can defend positionally and physically and move pucks smartly instead of just flipping them into the natural zone. In Myers, he saw a commitment to improve every facet of his game.
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“One of our best all year with consistency,” lauded Tocchet. “He’s a systems guy. When he knows what’s going on around him, he’s a really good player.”
Myers has made an amazing adjustment from the comical “Chaos Giraffe” moniker bestowed upon him in the past. He often struggled to get his feet under him and seemed confused of where and when to defend or attack.
It only created angst among a hockey-mad fan base with his five-year, $30 million free-agent deal on July 1, 2019. It included no trade and no-movement clauses and there was little return on the huge investment.
Add a $5 million bonus last September, added to $1 million in base salary this season, and it amounted to the annual $6 million cap hit. Fast forward and Myers is now the least of back-end off-season challenges for general manager Patrik Allvin.
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An effective cost-effective pairing of Myers with Carson Soucy — especially in a tough playoff matchup against Connor McDavid — is one reason for confidence. It’s a long way from Myers looking out of sync with Oliver Ekman-Larsson the last two seasons.
“We found out pretty quick the standard and the culture needed to change,” said Myers.
That all changed, but figuring out the future of restricted free agent Filip Hronek and UFAs Nikita Zadorov and Ian Cole are more difficult. Hronek and Zadorov are chasing the big money and Cole could be a culture fit.
As for Myers, the Houston native has come full circle in a game that initially seemed intimidating. After all, his introduction to minor hockey in Calgary was an eye-opener.
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“It was a long first day,” Myers recalled with a chuckle. “They thought with a 10-year-old kid coming from Houston that hockey is not very big back there.
“In tryouts, they would place you in a certain division that they thought you were around and they would usually filter out.
“I started pretty low. It went by numbers for divisions and I started at No. 10 or something like that.
“I was on the ice that day for four hours and quite tired.”
It was worth it.
Myers graduated to the WHL and become a standout with the powerhouse Kelowna Rockets. He became the 12th overall selection by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Draft and captured the Calder Trophy with 48 points (11-37) and has logged 995 regular season and 61 playoff games.
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His first goal came Oct, 16, 2009, against Dwayne Roloson in a 6-3 home-ice win over the New York Islanders. He also added an assist and had three shots and seven attempts.
It all seems so long ago, but all Myers can think about is the present and the promise for next season.
“We just want to keep getting better,” he summed up.
bkuzma@postmedia.com
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Courtesy : https://theprovince.com/sports/hockey/nhl/vancouver-canucks/tyler-myers-contract-extension-bid