Canucks Must Be Cautious With A Tyler Myers Trade

This alleged deal hasn’t happened yet, and the odds it does are low. I suppose the Canucks can circle back and get negotiations rolling with the Sharks again and somehow get this deal through. In that case, it will be a massive success for GM Patrik Allvin and company. They do not need another winger, but LaBanc’s cheaper contract will help their cap situation. This is all speculation stemming from what Seravalli reported, but it is interesting to think about. Although, the scenario where they get out of Myers’ contract without adding prospects or draft picks, especially considering every NHL team knows their financial bind, is unlikely. It usually costs a quality asset or two to trade an albatross contract, and a recent trade gives insight into why it could be a second-round pick at minimum. 

What the Cost to Dump Myers Could Look Like

The New York Islanders trading Josh Bailey to the Chicago Blackhawks is a good benchmark to base a Myers trade on. His contract had one year remaining with a cap hit of $5 million. Along with Bailey, the Blackhawks received the Islanders’ 2026 second-round pick, while future considerations went the other way. The Blackhawks then bought out the remaining year on Bailey’s contract. Myers also has one year remaining on his contract with a slightly higher AAV of $6 million. He does bring more to a team than Bailey, as the minute-munching, right-handed, big-body defenceman could net a rebuilding team a depth draft pick or two at the 2024 NHL Trade Deadline at 50 percent retained.

Using the Bailey trade as an example, it is fair to assume a second-round pick, at minimum, will be needed to trade him. The Canucks own all of their draft picks in the upcoming three NHL Entry Drafts, aside from their 2024 second-round pick and 2026 seventh-round pick. Let’s assume it will cost a second-round selection. Considering the Canucks’ recent history of trading future draft picks for win-now moves, it is inadvisable to continue to do so when the on-ice product has not sniffed the playoffs over the past couple of seasons. Yes, they can afford it, but is entering the 2023-24 season with only one second-round pick over the next three years a good idea?

They are not in an ideal position to spend a second-round selection or more in any upcoming drafts for immediate cap relief or roster help. Yes, they need the cap space, but if there are other methods to creating the room, they should at least look into the idea rather than paying to trade Myers.

Canucks Must Consider Other Options

The alternative route to trading Myers is moving a different player off the roster. Conor Garland is an intriguing name to trade for cap space. The Canucks would not need to pay an excessive amount for a team to take on Garland. Instead, a team would likely buy low on him, giving up a late-round draft pick. A Garland trade would end their current cap issue, but they would lose a top-nine forward as a result. Of course, the Canucks could move other players than Myers or Garland, but their names have come up the most. Seravalli mentioned on Sportsnet 650 how they would like to trade Garland but are not wanting to pay or push to get it done.

Trading Garland should be the last resort if the cost is too high to trade Myers. The team is better with him on it, but they must find a reasonable solution to their current cap conundrum. The Canucks have to tread with caution. Doing their due diligence is essential to not hurt their future, even if it means trading someone other than Myers for cap relief.

The Canucks May Have No Choice

A Myers trade feels imminent. The Canucks are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. Trade Myers and they likely forfeit a second-round draft pick or value equivalent to it, depleting more future resources. If Allvin keeps Myers for the upcoming 2023-24 season, it probably means they must sacrifice depth from other areas of the team, likely their forward core. Fans shouldn’t get their hopes up for a deal without additional compensation needed.

The Canucks are still trying to navigate around the decisions of former GM Benning. They must free up cap space, but due to the expected price, it will hurt their future. Even if the Canucks forfeit a second-round pick in a Myers deal, the immediate relief will make it worth it, but not poking around at other options would be a mistake.