TVA Sports correspondent Renaud Lavoie reports this morning that Tyler Myers trade talks between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks has "intensified".
I've been reporting in this space for the past four months that the Ducks have been interested in trading for Myers. The 6'8" roaving D-man would add a dimension to the Ducks backe end that is sorely missing right now. Myers is a true to pair D with a right-handed shot. He would add immediate value to the Ducks PP and PK.
Talks intensified between Ducks and Sabres on Tyler Myers. Other teams have interest in Myers. Can he be traded ? Its a real possibility.
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) February 6, 2015
The Ducks defeated Nashville on the road on Thursday night and now occupy the #1 seed in the NHL standings. Bruce Boudreau's battalion is 8-2 in its last 10 games. The Ducks appear to be the best team in the NHL right now. The one wart or blemish on their game lately is their goal differential. The Ducks enter Friday's action with a +17 rating. They have scored 157 goals while allowing 140 goals. Their goal differential has been a concern for Bob Murray. When the Western playoffs begin, the 200 foot puck pressure will ratchet up and the scoring chances will become few and far between. The Ducks will have to find a way between now and then to keep the puck out of their own net. Freddie Andersen has been playing inspired, winning hickey of late, however, the D corps in front of him have to limit the shots and chances against him. Myers will help them to achieve this goal as well as improving their breakouts. Myers is the type of puck mover that Bob Murray long has wanted to get his hands on. Myers makes a great first pass to the wingers on the walls and the centers coming low to support the puck. Having the huge, fast D jumping in the rush will give the Ducks a look that they haven't had before.
Let's talk about the compensation. At what price Myers to Anaheim?
Bob Murray would have to surrender power forward Nick Ritchie, his 2014 1st rounder (10th overall). He will also have to part with a young D in either Sami Vatanen or Hampus Lindholm. The name of goalie prospect extraordinaire John Gibson has also entered the Myers trade chatter. Adding Gibson to the deal would take Vatanen or Lindholm out of the deal. Tim Murray has two pending UFA goalies in Enroth and Neuvirth. He would be wise to want to take possession of Gibson. There likely will also be an exchange of first round picks. Buffalo would send either oif the St. Blues or NY Islanders picks to Anaheim in the deal.
Tim Murray now has real leverage to use on Bob Murray because of the Evander Kane trade possibility.
The Winnipeg Jets sent their Assistant GM and a scout to Buffalo on Thursday night to watch Buffalo play St. Louis. Winnipeg is said to be very interested in trading Kane for Myers as part of a trade package. Bob Murray has invested months of scouting and recon into Myers. I see this as the reason why Bob Murray and Tim Murray have reportedly moved their talks to the next level. Timing is everything for the Ducks. The D-man that they covet is available to them still, if the price is right. It would be a shame for Winnipeg, Colorado, Detroit, or LA to swoop in a nab his big defenseman before B Murray gets his gun out of its holster.
Much more to come..
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