The Myers Debate

Buffalo’s game at New Jersey this coming Wednesday [Oct 28] marks the end of rookie defenseman Tyler Myers’ nine-game trial period with the Buffalo Sabres. The Buffalo News ran an article on the topic today, and stated that GM Darcy Regier is waiting until the last moment to make the decision, in order to make it well-informed and effective.

I’m going to try and make the case for Tyler Myers to stay in Buffalo. Personally, after watching  8 games, I am simply blown away by the talent and sportsmanship that this 19 year old rookie has shown in the blue and gold. Myers was drafted by Buffalo in 2008 and played with the Kelowna Rockets in the WHL. This season he was granted a roster spot for the Sabres and he hasn’t looked back since.

Here are some numbers on Tyler Myers, 8 games into the 09-10 NHL Season:

Height: 6’8″

Weight: 222 lbs.

Shoots: Right

Myers has scored 2 goals in eight games: 1 against the New York Islanders, the other against the Florida Panthers.

Myers also scored Buffalo’s game-winner in the last contest with Tampa Bay. The goal was in the 6th round of the shootout.

He has also the 6th best +/- rating in the NHL, with a +8.

[statistics from NHL.com]

Myers is also highly regarded by his fellow teammates on the Buffalo Sabres, such as Ryan Miller: “He’s got the skill and he’s got the range to keep up with the top players in the league…At this age, it’s great to see. We just hope he help him along enough that he reaches his potential…he’s been a model teammate so far, which is important for this locker room, and he goes out and competes every night. On top of that, he’s chipping in, which is great.”

Mike Grier also said: “No situation fazes him…He wants the puck all the time out there. He’s trying to make plays, which is rare for a young kid to have that type of confidence. He’s been a big part of what we’ve been able to do so far.” [from The Buffalo News]

Myers has easily become one of the most popular players among Buffalo’s fans and the fanbase strongly supports an entry-level contract for him. Darcy Regier is looking at the long-term picture: offering him a contract will make him a RFA and a UFA sooner. But, in my opinion, Tyler is worth the investment. He has not only been a stellar addition to the defense, but he’s also become a player that this team and its fans have rallied around. The only blemish on Myers’ career in Buffalo so far was a defensive miscue against the Atlanta Thrashers and Maxim Afinogenov, allowing the ex-Sabre to score Atlanta’s go-ahead goal in the 4-2 loss. Some have cited the inconsistency of youthful players as a reason to be cautious with Myers and perhaps hold out for another year on offering him a permanent roster spot.

I think that the only thing that can help Myers is time in the NHL. He’s learned all that he can in the minors, and I believe that a return to Kelowna won’t help him any. Experience in the major league might be the best tool to develop Myers as a player and a defenseman.

I say make the move, Darcy. Sign Tyler Myers, and keep him around. He’s worth it.

http://www.buffalonews.com/494/story/839304.html