Myers traded to Stars by Canucks for draft picks

Tyler Myers was traded to the Dallas Stars by the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday for a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-round selection in the 2029 NHL Draft.

"Tyler is a veteran defenseman that will immediately add to our group," Stars general manager Jim Nill said. "His ability to play on the right side will give us an added element of flexibility on the blue line. We would like to welcome Tyler and his family to Dallas."

The 36-year-old defenseman has eight points (one goal, seven assists) while averaging 20:13 of ice time in 57 games for the Canucks this season, his 17th in the NHL. He is in the second of a three-year, $9 million contract ($3 million average annual value) he signed with them on June 27, 2024. The Canucks will retain 50 percent of his salary.

Dallas (38-14-9) has won a franchise-best 10 consecutive games and is second in the Central Division, six points behind the Colorado Avalanche. 

"Already a lot of talent, already a lot of size," Myers said. "I know how good of a team Dallas already is. For me, I'm just coming in to work as hard as I can and help in any way. We feel very fortunate to join a team like this and I'm definitely not going to take it for granted. I'm going to come to the rink every day just like I have in the years past and approach it the same way and try to get better everyday."

Myers said he expects to be in Dallas on Thursday and attend morning skate on Friday before that night's home game against the Colorado Avalanche.

"This time of year, the end of the regular season going into the playoffs, the physicality always seems to ramp up," Myers said. "Definitely want to make that part of our game. That's definitely part of what I want to come in and help with. I want to make sure I'm doing a lot of communication with the coaches where I'm able to adjust to any of the different systems the team has but certainly the physicality will be part of it."

There is familiarity in the move for Myers, who was born in Houston and played junior hockey with Stars captain Jamie Benn. 

"Feels good, change of scenery," Myers said. "I'm sure you guys know, I was born in Texas, I have some family ties still in Texas. That was very exciting for us and one of the reasons why Dallas was a preference. We are so excited to be joining the team and an already great time. Very excited to get back down south again."

Vancouver (18-36-7), which is last in the NHL, has nine selections in the 2027 draft and eight in 2029.

Myers had a no-move clause as part of his current contract, which limited where the Canucks could trade him.

"Tyler is a good player. His cap hit was fairly low, and when you cut it in half, it makes it more appealing for teams," Vancouver GM Patrik Allvin said. "But again, it's hard, Tyler controlled this move and I respect him and his agent, and thankfully it ended up being a good destination for Tyler and a good return for the Vancouver Canucks. ... Acquiring two more draft picks in this trade with the Stars will help us continue to rebuild and improve our roster in the years to come."

Selected by the Buffalo Sabres in the first round (No. 12) of the 2008 NHL Draft, Myers has 403 points (100 goals, 303 assists) in 1,123 regular-season games for the Sabres, Winnipeg Jets and Canucks. 

Myers won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie with the Sabres for the 2009-10 season and has 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 61 Stanley Cup Playoff games. 

"A great leader, great human," Canucks coach Adam Foote said. "Going to miss being around a guy like that, a true professional every day. 'Mysy' will be missed for sure. He handled himself through this process pretty damn good, professional, came to work, good attitude, just shows you what he's all about. I think he'll leave his mark on this dressing room for a long time."

Myers was in his seventh season with the Canucks after first signing with Vancouver before the 2019-20 season. He had 138 points (26 goals, 112 assists) in 488 games with Vancouver.

"It was difficult (to leave) in a way for sure," Myers said "It's a big change for the family. Big change for anyone. We look at it like this. We've been fortunate enough to spend almost seven years in Vancouver in one place. Not a lot of guys get to experience that. We didn't want to pass up on an opportunity just because of comfortability. We're extremely excited to be joining the Stars. I say we, I'm talking about my wife and my family because that was a big part of the decision. We're very happy with how things played out and the result we got."

The NHL Trade Deadline is Friday at 3 p.m. ET.

"I want to see more fight in the group,” Allvin said. “... I didn't see the fight and urgency. It's their job, the player's job, and our job to prepare every night for the fans and playing for the crest. You can lose games, but you're going to play the right way and you're going to compete, and that's what I want to see for my group here moving forward.”

NHL.com independent correspondent Kevin Woodley contributed to this report