Lyle Richardson dishes the latest trade rumors on towering Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers. Plus, what's Jeff Petry's value in Edmonton, and are the Rangers looking to replace the injured Dan Boyle?
Rumor Roundup: Will the Sabres part with Tyler Myers?Buffalo Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers remains a fixture in the NHL's early-season rumor mill. TSN's Darren Dreger reports Myers' name is “out there,” though the Sabres are downplaying it. Dreger suggests moving the 6-foot-8, 227-pounder blueliner could improve the Sabres' chances in the 2015 NHL draft. He claims the Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Ducks expressed interest in the big defenceman.
Teams hoping to land Myers, however, should be prepared to pay a steep price. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman claims the Detroit Red Wings made inquiries this summer, but the talks ended when the Sabres asked for prospect forward Anthony Mantha.
Myers has struggled since his Calder Trophy-winning debut in 2009-10, but he's only 24 and still has sufficient time to blossom into a blueline star, especially with a talent-laden club. While Sabres management is willing to listen to offers for Myers, it doesn't mean they're keen to move him.
Anyone can be dealt for the right price, but by demanding Mantha as part of the return from the Red Wings, it's clear the Sabres won't just give him away, even to improve their opportunities to land the first overall pick in the 2015 draft. If Myers shows improvement this season, don't be surprised if the Sabres retain him.
OILERS' PETRY AVAILABLE?
If the Wings and Ducks want to add a defenceman, they'll have to set to set their sights on more-affordable options. One could be Edmonton Oilers blueliner Jeff Petry, who Dreger suggests could be a trade chip to land a skilled center.
Jonathan Willis of the Edmonton Journal, however, believes moving Petry would be disastrous for the Oilers. Willis considers him the Oilers' best defenceman, considerably better than promising Justin Schultz. He feels trading the 26-year-old blueliner could only worsen the Oilers' bad defensive game.
Petry, however, is under a one-year contract and becomes eligible for unrestricted free agency next summer. If Schultz improves or if promising Darnell Nurse or Oscar Klefbom blossom this season, Oilers management could be prompted to peddle Petry for an established center.
Such a move, however, isn't likely this early in the season. And if the Oilers' playoff hopes end up dashed once again by New Year's, it increases the possibility Petry could be playing with a new NHL team by the March trade deadline.
RANGERS SHOPPING FOR BLUELINE DEPTH AFTER BOYLE INJURY
The New York Rangers have a more pressing need for an experienced right-handed defenceman. Larry Brooks of the New York Post reports the Blueshirts are in the market for a blueliner after losing Dan Boyle for the next four-to-six weeks with a broken right hand.
Brooks claims pickings for defenCemen are slim at the moment, forcing the Rangers to make do with what they currently have on their roster and within their system. They're unlikely to find anyone of Boyle's skills and experience.
How the Rangers cope in Boyle's absence will determine any requirement to go shopping for help. Cap space is also an issue, as they currently have roughly $1.692 million available. They could free up additional space by placing Boyle on long-term injured reserve, but they'll have to make space when he returns to action sometime in November.