Vancouver Canucks

Canucks Can’t Rebuild by Trading Every Veteran on the Team

Are the Canucks too quick to trade veterans—when Tyler Myers might be exactly what this season still needs?

by
Old Prof
January 25, 2026

At some point this season, the conversation around the Vancouver Canucks has shifted from who they can add to who they should move. That’s normal when things slide as much as they have for the Canucks. But not every veteran automatically needs to be shoved into trade rumours just because of it. And Tyler Myers is a good example of why.

Even in the two recent losses, like the one against the New Jersey Devils and the Pittsburgh Penguins, you could see something that matters: the Canucks didn’t quit. The start wasn’t great; a shaky penalty kill hurt them early, but late in the game, there was real pushback. They were down 3–0, made it 3–2, traded chances, and actually forced the Devils to close it out.

Same thing with the Penguins on Sunday. They fell behind 3–0, then came back to within one before losing 3–2. Although they don’t count in the win column, those kinds of games matter when you’re not a playoff team. Tight games create habits. Blowouts kill them.

Tyler Myers has been a solid Canucks defenceman for a long time.

Tyler Myers Is a Veteran Leader Who Cares to Win

That’s where Myers comes in. He’s a veteran leader. And, while some might roll their eyes at “veteran leadership,” for Myers, it’s not a buzzword. It’s a daily presence. Myers doesn’t just talk. He shows up, plays heavy minutes, and understands how to survive stretches like this without losing the room. He’s been through every phase of the league: high expectations, rebuilds, pressure markets, and long seasons that don’t go as planned. That experience isn’t theoretical — it’s lived.

Look at the blue line. You’ve got young or developing pieces like Filip Hronek, Zeev Buium, and Tom Willander. Each is at a different stage, but all benefit from stability around them. Having someone beside them who knows how to prepare, manage momentum swings, and stay steady when things go sideways is huge. Myers does that naturally. Coaches trust him. Teammates respect him. He doesn’t need the “leader” label — he just is one.

Myers Is Liked in the “Room,” and He’s Made a Home in Vancouver

There’s also the human side. Myers is well-liked in the room. He looks out for younger players. He sets a tone without making it about himself. That matters when a season turns into a grind and morale is fragile.

So, even if the Canucks are moving veterans, they don’t need to strip everything down to studs. Even management has said that — you can’t send everyone out the door and expect teenagers to carry the culture.

Now, if Myers wants to chase a Stanley Cup late in his career, that’s a different conversation. But, he’s likely to want to end his career at home in Vancouver. He’s earned the right to have input there. But unless that’s the case, moving him just to move him doesn’t make sense. The return likely won’t match what he delivers internally, especially during a season when effort and professionalism are tested nightly.

The Canucks Are Not Headed for the Postseason, But Their Future Needs Myers

The Canucks may not be headed for the playoffs, but how they finish matters to the fans, to the room, and to the future. Keeping players like Tyler Myers around helps ensure the team doesn’t just get through the season, but actually builds something along the way.