Why Tyler Myers Still Matters to the Canucks - Even in a Lost Season
At some point this season, the conversation around the Vancouver Canucks shifted. What started as cautious optimism turned into a slow slide, and now the chatter is less about who they can add and more about who they might move.
That’s par for the course when a team fades from the playoff picture. But not every veteran needs to be tossed into the trade rumor mill just because things aren’t going according to plan.
Tyler Myers is a prime example of why.
Competing, Even in Losses
Look at their recent losses - the ones to New Jersey and Pittsburgh stand out. On paper, they’re just two more L’s in a season that’s had its share.
But dig a little deeper, and there’s something worth noting: the Canucks didn’t fold. Against the Devils, they were down 3-0, clawed back to make it 3-2, and forced New Jersey to close the door.
Same story with the Penguins. Another 3-0 hole, another push to make it a one-goal game.
The comeback fell short, but the fight was there.
These aren’t moral victories, but they matter. When you’re not in the playoff hunt, tight games help build habits.
Blowouts? They do the opposite.
They erode structure, confidence, and buy-in. And that’s where players like Myers make their impact - not just on the ice, but in the fabric of how a team competes when the stakes are low and the grind is real.
Myers Brings More Than Just Minutes
Tyler Myers isn’t just logging heavy minutes - he’s setting a standard. The term “veteran leadership” gets thrown around a lot, but with Myers, it’s not just a label.
It’s who he is. He’s been through it all: playoff pushes, rebuilds, pressure-packed markets, and long seasons where nothing goes right.
That kind of experience doesn’t show up on a stat sheet, but it shows up in how a locker room holds together when things get tough.
Look at the Canucks’ blue line. There’s real promise there.
Filip Hronek is still developing into a top-pair guy. Zeev Buium and Tom Willander are young, talented, and learning what it takes to play at this level.
Having a steady hand next to them - someone who knows how to prepare, how to handle momentum swings, and how to stay composed when games get away - is invaluable. Myers brings that every night.
Coaches lean on him. Teammates follow his lead.
He doesn’t need to be loud. He just needs to be there.
A Presence in the Room - and in the City
There’s also the off-ice component. Myers is respected in the room.
He looks out for the younger guys. He carries himself in a way that sets the tone without making it about himself.
That kind of presence matters, especially in a season like this, when morale can dip and the grind feels endless.
And let’s not forget - Myers has made Vancouver home. He’s invested in the city, in the team, and in the people around it.
If the Canucks decide to move veterans, they don’t need to gut the culture in the process. Even management has acknowledged that.
You can’t just hand the keys to a bunch of teenagers and expect the culture to sustain itself. Someone has to show them the way.
Now, if Myers decides he wants to chase a Stanley Cup before he hangs up his skates, that’s a different conversation. He’s earned the right to make that call.
But unless he’s the one asking out, there’s no reason to move him just for the sake of it. The return likely won’t match what he brings behind the scenes - especially during a season when professionalism and effort are being tested every night.
Building Toward Something Bigger
The Canucks might not be heading to the postseason, but how they finish still matters. It matters to the fans.
It matters to the players. And it matters to the foundation they’re trying to build.
Keeping someone like Tyler Myers around isn’t about clinging to the past. It’s about making sure the team doesn’t just limp through the rest of the season - it’s about making sure they grow through it.
Because even in a down year, there’s value in doing things the right way. And Myers? He’s still showing them how.