Do the Jets have a problem with Tyler Myers?
One of the storylines that seems to get flown over around the Jets is the role and future of Tyler Myers. The lanky defender essentially missed the entire season this year with injury, surgery recovery and then a personal issue with his and his wife’s new born child. It was not an easy year for Myers, his family or the Jets. There was though no unwavering support for him, as it should be.
The challenge comes based on the roster, its depth, and the roles of players on the team. The Jets have two top 2 RH in Trouba and Byfuglien. In fact the concurrent question should be when does Byfuglien slip due to age and wear and tear? However, looking at those two players and the likelihood that neither are going anywhere, where does that leave Myers?
The one thing that is interesting about the this trio of RHD is that they all prefer to play on their strong side. In theory, that is not a problem but it does affect depth as one considers the decline in Enstrom and the lack of an heir to that 3-4 LHD position within the organization. Fans and perhaps management are clearly crossing their fingers for Tucker Poolman.
Should the roster stay as it is now does the defence look like this?
Morrissey Byfuglien
Enstrom Trouba
Poolman Myers
Stuart Postma
That’s a strong right side with question marks on the left and one ‘oh no not again’. I go back to a comment Robert Cleave of the Nations Network said a few seasons ago that to me has never been answered. “Given Buff’s style, why is he never moved to the left side seeing as he plays all over?” It may be too late for that no given the projected roster but when injuries hit should that not be an option instead of filling holes with lesser performing players/talent?
So where does that leave Myers? Is he really a bottom pairing defence man?
Looking at this chart, while rather incomplete based on the way it weights seasons and Myers lack of play last season, it would appear he’s trending down. That’s simply the facts based on how his play has been measured when compared to his peers. That may be what Myers is as well and coming closer to the expansion draft another question presents: is Myers worth protecting?
Leaving him off the list will be a huge gamble if the Jets believe he won’t get picked and would likely cost them in other ways. He has some term, a good cap hit for a fledging franchise and is not a bad player, just not what his reputation may suggest he is. In fact it would be the ultimate move of buying low and hoping for a bounce back.
By now though the problem with Myers and his role with the Jets should seem clear, it’s hard to imagine him fitting in as a 5-6 guy and who does he usurp to go further up the roster?
I’d wager that Myers is protected and he’s part of the team’s plans going forward but I’d also suggest there are about 3-5 plans in place to deal with his role and the eventual contract issue coming up again with Jacob Trouba.
Tyler Myers does not create any problems for the Jets. His role, the team’s roster and the expansion draft are the real drivers of confusion and questions. Myers could, if truly healthy, prove a valuable commodity for the Jets or any other team so many other variable affect his future, at least with the Jets. Unfortunately the order of those variables, expansion draft first, then Entry Draft, then UFA is not in the Jets favour.
There’s a problem for Chevy and the Jets but it’s not because of Myers, he’s almost an innocent bystander who might force the Jets to do something that’s either risky or our of their control. That’s never a situation a GM wants to be in but again, we see the Jets GM in that position again.
Winnipeg Jets Blogger •Winnipeg Jets Writer • 
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