Canucks 2022-23 Report Cards: Tyler Myers

Welcome to the Vancouver Canucks 2022-23 report card series. In this series, we at The Hockey Writers look back at each Canucks player from the past season, break down how their campaign went and assign a letter grade reflective of their overall performance. This edition will focus on defenseman Tyler Myers.

Myers’ Offensive Decline

Myers was once known as a physical defenseman capable of providing great offense from the blue line. Since joining the Canucks, it is safe to say those days are officially over. In 78 games this season, Myers only scored one goal and 16 assists for 17 points, which is good for a 0.21 points-per-game (P/G) pace. This season, statistically, proved to be the worst offensive season in his career, surpassing his recent low from last season, when he also scored at a 0.21 P/G rate. The difference is marginal, as the difference requires going into the third-decimal placement. Regardless, a player’s offense continually declining is not a promising sign. While Myers had back-to-back bad statistical seasons, this year, the team saw a catastrophic fall off regarding his analytics.

Myers fell off a cliff analytically this season. The defenseman finished in the 10th percentile in offensive wins-above-replacement (WAR) for all defensemen this season, meaning over 90 percent of all defensemen had better offensive seasons this year (From JFresh’s paid Patreon subscription service). His Corsi For was only 41 percent, four percent worse than last year. Additionally, the number of his expected goals was a bleak 4.9. By every metric, Myers had an abysmal offensive season for the Canucks. He can potentially turn it around, but it is highly doubtful due to his age and lack of foot speed.

Myers’ Defensive Play with Canucks

Myers improved his defensive play with the Canucks this season, although going from a below-average defender to an average one still does not warrant $6 million annually. Myers had one of his best seasons as a Canuck if one only looks at his defensive zone play, but even then, it is not saying much. He had a plus/minus of minus-16 and a giveaway-takeaway ratio of 25-48. Forty of the 48 giveaways came in the defensive end. He led the team in giveaways by 20, the next closest being Ethan Bear with 28. Bear also trailed in defensive zone giveaways, only managing 24 to Myers’ 40. His defensive WAR did reach above the 50 percentile, but his counting stats are too egregious to ignore.