Are the Anaheim Ducks Trying to Acquire Defenseman Tyler Myers?
As the NHL trade deadline sits less than a month away (March 2nd), rumors are beginning to spread like wild fire. According to reports, the Ducks have engaged in serious talks with the Buffalo Sabres about acquiring the services of defenseman Tyler Myers. The Sabres, behind another tough season, appear to be sellers at the trade deadline in an effort to continue their rebuild. This, plus the sheer upside of Myers, makes the gigantic defenseman one of the hottest commodities at the deadline.
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There has been a lot of speculation that Ducks general manager Bob Murray is interested in acquiring another defenseman. Depth at defense has always been something the Ducks and Murray value, as shown when Murray traded for veteran defenseman Stephane Robidas last season at the trade deadline. After a number of names like Cody Franson were linked to the Ducks rumors, it seems that Murray has set his sights on Myers.
The Ducks sit in a comfortable position when it comes to salary cap room, allowing them to think about a defensmen like Myers, who carries a cap-hit of $5.5 million dollars this season. Whether it be for a number of prospects, high draft picks, or a combination of both, the asking price in exchange for Myers will surely be something the Ducks will really have to take into consideration when thinking about their future plans.
Myers, who is currently in the midst of his sixth NHL season, stands at an enormous 6’8. The big-bodied defenseman came into the league in the 2009-2010 season and went on to win the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year). Myers was said to have tremendous upside when coming into the league, but a number of awful seasons for the Buffalo Sabres has been a reason in his decline in scoring. Since putting up 48 points as a rookie, Myers has failed to reach the 40-point plateau since.
Myers currently has three goals and 12 points on the season. A change of scenery could benefit the blue-liner. Buffalo signed Myers to a seven-year, $38.5 million dollar contract extension before the 2011-2012 season, signing him long-term to be a part of the team’s future at the time. However, with the Sabres’ rebuild, Buffalo may be better off trading Myers and using the return, whether prospects or picks, to add to their rebuilding process.
The Ducks’ need for a defenseman, along with the demand for right-shot defensemen in the NHL today, makes these rumors a hot topic as the trade deadline approaches. Will Murray go all-in to make a move that could potentially vault the Ducks as the favorite to come out of the Western Conference? That still remains to be seen.
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