Maple Leafs Closing in on Contract Extension For 6'5, 220-Pound Defenseman

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.

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.