Veteran NHL coach says hulking defenseman could help the Leafs if they can make the money work
We now have just 20 days remaining until the NHL's trade deadline and with the Leafs having yet to make their big deadline move, it's really anyone's guess where Kyle Dubas' mind is at. Dubas met with the media this week to discuss his plans and had stated that while he is happy with his current goaltenders, he would like to add a defenseman and a forward if all of the stars align.
Following Dubas addressing the media, the Leafs were linked to Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers by NHL Insider David Pagnotta. The news was not met with much excitement from the Leafs' fanbase as the move doesn't really strike most as a "needle-mover", but on Friday evening, Myers' former coach, Bruce Boudreau, gave Myers a ringing endorsement and stated that of all of the things to worry about with Myers, his game shouldn't be one of them. His contract is the biggest issue here.
-Former Canucks head coach Bruce Boudreau on rumours linking Tyler Myers to Toronto
He also brought up the fact that the Canucks and the Leafs have recent trade history with former Leaf Travis Dermott being dealt to the Canucks last season.
Myers has 1 season after this one remaining on his current deal and carries a $6M cap hit, so if the Canucks and Leafs did come together on a deal for Myers, the non-starter for Toronto would be if the Canucks weren't willing to eat 50% of his deal. The Leafs may then require a third team to enter the deal for the purpose to retaining 50% of Myers' remaining $3M cap hit.
Myers at $6M is a hard no for the Leafs, but would Myers at $1.5M this year and next make sense for Toronto? It has to intrigue you at least a little.
| POLL | ||
11 FEVRIER | 207 ANSWERS Veteran NHL coach says hulking defenseman could help the Leafs if they can make the money work Would you take Tyler Myers as a Leaf for $1.5M this year and next? | ||
| Yes, absolutely | 120 | 58 % |
| Still a no from me | 87 | 42 % |
| List of polls | ||
