Maple Leafs Closing in on Contract Extension For 6'5, 220-Pound Defenseman
NHL insider Kevin Weekes dropped a bombshell late on Sunday night that the Toronto Maple Leafs may be close on a contract extension with Philippe Myers.
With Philippe Myers getting more of a consistent run with the Toronto Maple Leafs this season, it sounds like both sides are looking to seal the deal on a contract extension in the immediate future, according to NHL insider Kevin Weekes.
The former NHL goaltender turned insider dropped a tweet on Sunday evening that both Myers and the Leafs were mutually interested in an extension based on fit and value.
@MapleLeafs
and D Myers gaining ground on a contract extension. #LeafsForever #HockeyX"
Given an opportunity due to injuries on the back end, Myers has carved out a nice role for the Maple Leafs with 2 assists, a plus-1 rating, and 17:06 ATOI this season. This is the most amount of ice time the 28-year-old has seen since 2020-21 when he was with the Philadelphia Flyers.
It's been tough for the undrafted defenseman, who was once seen as a top prospect for the Flyers. He had a great rookie season before crumbling in his sophomore campaign, which coincided with his departure. He was traded to Nashville and only saw 27 NHL games in 2021-22.
Since then, he's appeared in just 25 games at the NHL-level, including this season, but has remained relevant in the minors. He played in 16 games for the Toronto Marlies initially in 2021-22 before joining the Tampa Bay Lightning for the following 2 seasons, where he saw 52 games in 2022-23 and another 61 contests the following year.
With the Maple Leafs looking for added depth and a more consistent performer in the bottom-4, Myers could fill that hole, especially considering his size, speed, and value as a right-handed shot.
While the deal isn't done yet and there's still a few obstacles to clear, it sure sounds like the 28-year-old is valued by the Maple Leafs and should remain a viable option on the team's NHL roster for the foreseeable future.
