Photo credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images
Tyler Myers is refusing to waive his trade protection, leaving Red Wings head coach Todd McLellan frustrated and a massive deal in complete limbo.
The Vancouver Canucks are completely ready to pull the trigger on this move. Front office executives have a package sitting on the table from Detroit that they absolutely love.
The terms between the two clubs are agreed upon. The pieces are firmly in place for a blockbuster swap.
But the veteran defenseman holds all the leverage in this situation. Myers simply won’t sign off on packing his bags and heading to the Motor City right now.
Detroit easily offered the best return by a wide margin. They’ve desperately needed a right-shot giant on their blue line to eat tough minutes and clear the crease.
At a very manageable $3 million cap hit, Myers is a highly attractive asset. He brings serious size, incredible reach, and invaluable playoff experience to the locker room.
The towering defender currently boasts 14 points and a steady +6 rating this season. He logs heavy ice time on a nightly basis for Adam Foote in Vancouver.
Detroit Left Completely Stranded
This flat-out rejection stings for a Red Wings team aggressively pushing for a playoff spot. Management thought they had their missing piece locked down.
McLellan’s squad has struggled defensively over the last three games, yielding far too many high-danger chances. They need veteran stability on the back end immediately.
The Canucks desperately wanted to clear cap space to make a completely different splash. Moving that salary off the books would’ve given them maximum flexibility ahead of the deadline.
Now, Vancouver has to pivot their entire strategy. The front office must decide if they keep him for a deep playoff run or frantically search for another approved suitor.
Detroit is essentially back to square one on the trade market. They spent weeks negotiating this specific framework.
Finding another 6-foot-8 defenseman with solid execution and a reliable transition game is virtually impossible right now. The available options are incredibly thin.
Time is rapidly ticking down. If Myers stays put, the Red Wings might have to look internally or heavily overpay for a lesser rental on the blue line.
Previously on Detroit Hockey Insider
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Unexpected twist in the Tyler Myers trade
Will Tyler Myers finish the season in Vancouver?