 |
 | Tyler Myers has been the rock of the Buffalo defense and an underrated NHLer. | | Buffalo - January 13, 2015 - Tim Murray is a pretty smart guy.
That’s partially why, despite rumors that it was a certainty, he’s refrained from dealing defenseman Tyler Myers over the last few seasons.
He’s been smart enough to realize that Myers holds a certain value in the league, that other teams covet him. Turns out the Sabres happen to covet him, too. Take it away, Tim:
“I’ve never made a call to another team on Tyler Myers,” Buffalo GM Tim Murray explained, per NHL.com. “I’ve had some calls, and I think it’s kind of a domino effect where one or two teams see in other press, not Buffalo press, and called asking if it was true.
“I have not tried to trade this guy.”
Many outside of Buffalo have chided the 24-year-old defenseman, looking merely at the box score before casting judgment on his play. And sure, he hasn’t managed to match his offensive output from a few years ago, but on a team as offensively bereft as the Sabres are, what defenseman could?
The truth, though, is that Myers has been one of the pillars not only of the Sabres defense, but the team as a whole. Perhaps that’s why teams like Detroit, Anaheim and Philadelphia are constantly reported to have interest in the 6-foot-8 defenseman.
It’s also little wonder that the team, who went 10-3 over a 13-game stretch in November and December, lost 9 of 10 when Myers missed time with a lower-body injury. Losing a defenseman that plays over 25 minutes per night will take a big toll on any team.
Murray has realized this and that’s the reason he isn’t looking to trade the big man. “Some teams have asked about availability,” he said. “I’ve plainly said, ‘I’m not trying to trade the guy, if you want to knock my socks off with an offer I’ll listen,’ but it would have to be a major, major trade for me to move this guy."
So to all of you pundits looking to speculate on whether or not Myers will be in the blue and gold for the forseeable future: keep speculating. Because those are the only trade talks Myers will be involved in.
Follow me: @2PSBlog |
