The Vancouver Canucks have officially signaled their status as aggressive sellers as we approach the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline. While the roster overhaul is expected to be sweeping, the most immediate drama centres on 36-year-old veteran defenceman Tyler Myers.
Related: What Can the Canucks Get for Tyler Myers?
The signal flare was sent out recently when Myers was a late scratch for a matchup against the Winnipeg Jets — not for injury, but for the dreaded “trade-related reasons.” In the modern NHL, that usually means a deal is on the one-yard line. However, with Myers, the distance to the goal line is complicated by family ties, geographic preferences, and the ultimate leverage: a full no-movement clause (NMC).
Understanding the No-Movement Clause Leverage
The primary hurdle in moving Myers isn’t his play on the ice, but the ink on the contract he signed in June 2024. His three-year extension, carrying a manageable $3 million annual cap hit, came equipped with a full NMC through this season.
Myers isn’t just a veteran looking for a change of scenery; he is a pillar of the local community. His family is deeply rooted in Vancouver, and they spend their summers in nearby Kelowna. His agent has been clear: the original plan was to retire in a Canucks sweater. Because of the NMC, Myers holds all the cards. He isn’t just deciding on a new team; he’s deciding whether to uproot a life he intended to be permanent. This deliberation is why a done deal has turned into a waiting game.
Potential Trade Destinations
Detroit Red Wings
If you look strictly at the trade board, the Detroit Red Wings are the most logical destination. General manager Steve Yzerman is reportedly the most aggressive seeker of Myers’ services and has already put a formal offer on the table that Canucks management finds acceptable.
From a tactical standpoint, the Red Wings have a specific hole on the right side of their second pairing. They envision Myers slotting in next to the physical Ben Chiarot, a move that would allow them to shelter high-end rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka on the third unit. However, reports from league insiders suggest Myers is “unlikely” to waive his clause for Detroit. The Red Wings don’t currently offer the geographic proximity to BC that Myers desires, nor are they viewed as a lock for a deep Stanley Cup run — two boxes that reportedly must be checked for him to pack his bags.
Dallas Stars
While Detroit has the offer, the Dallas Stars likely have the player’s interest. Myers has deep ties to Texas, where his mother resides, making it one of the few destinations that satisfies his family requirements. Furthermore, the Stars are legitimate contenders, offering Myers perhaps his last best chance to lift the Stanley Cup.
The complication here is the spreadsheet. The Stars are currently navigating a tight cap situation, sitting roughly $1.5 million over the limit in terms of functional space. For a deal to materialize, the Canucks would likely have to take a contract back or involve a third-party broker to eat a portion of the salary. If the money can be moved, this remains the most probable outcome of the Myers saga.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche emerged as a serious player in the Myers sweepstakes following their decision to trade Sam Girard. That move cleared significant cap space — over $9 million — giving them the flexibility to add a veteran piece without the “money-in, money-out” gymnastics required by Dallas.
The Avalanche are looking for specific utility: a massive reach for the penalty kill and a physical presence to clear the crease during the heavy checking of the postseason. Myers, at 6-foot-8 and 228 pounds, fits that profile. The Avalanche offer the winning culture Myers craves, and the geographic flight back to Kelowna is significantly shorter than a trek from the Eastern Conference.
Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are an intriguing option purely due to geography. A move to Southern California would keep Myers in the Pacific Time Zone and relatively close to his home base. While the Ducks aren’t Cup contenders this year, they have the cap space to make a deal seamless.
Evaluating On-Ice Value and the Mentorship Premium
Critics will point to Myers’ production this season — one goal and eight points — as a reason to temper expectations. His puck-possession metrics have dipped to career lows, and he has struggled at times with the speed of the modern transition game.
However, NHL GMs aren’t trading for Myers to lead the power play. They are trading for:
- The Frame: You cannot teach 6-foot-8. His reach in the defensive zone remains a primary asset.
- The Grit: With 65 hits and 91 blocked shots, he is solid in the high-danger areas.
- The Room: This is where his value peaks. Younger players in the Canucks organization, from Zeev Buium to Tom Willander, have been vocal about Myers’ impact as a mentor. A contender isn’t just buying a third-pairing defenceman; they are buying a veteran who stabilizes a locker room under playoff pressure.
The Bottom Line: What Is the Return?
Given his age, the declining possession numbers, and the fact that he is effectively choosing his own destination, the return for Vancouver will likely be modest. Most analysts expect a mid-round draft pick —likely a third or fourth-rounder.
For the Canucks, the victory isn’t in the pick itself, but in the flexibility gained by moving on from a veteran contract as they lean into a younger, faster identity. The ball is in Myers’ court. The hockey world is simply waiting to see which jersey he decides to wear for the final chapter of his career.
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