Tyler Myers has been traded to the Dallas Stars. The former 12th pick overall in the 2008 NHL Entry draft brings size and another right-handed defender to Dallas, which is one of the big holes Dallas GM Jim Nill was looking to fill. Myers, or “Big Tex” as he has been referred to early in his career, is a Texas native, having been born in Houston, Texas. (Myers has had dual citizenship since age 10 and represents Team Canada internationally.)
Myers is a massive presence on the ice at 6’8 and 229 lb per NHL.com, having won the Calder Memorial Trophy in 2010.
Myers’ arrival in Dallas is more than a depth addition — it is the continuation of a career that has been defined by rare physical tools, durability, and adaptation.
Selected 12th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2008 NHL Draft, Tyler Myers entered the league with immediate impact. In 2009–10, he logged heavy minutes as a 20-year-old rookie, posting 48 points while averaging over 23 minutes per night. That performance earned him the Calder Memorial Trophy, solidifying him as one of the league’s premier young defensemen and validating his draft pedigree.
Over the course of his career, Myers has evolved. Early on, he was relied upon for offense and transition play — a towering defender who could skate fluidly and activate off the rush. As the league’s pace increased and his role shifted, he leaned more into using his reach, wingspan, and physical leverage to disrupt entries and manage net-front battles. At 6-foot-8, he presents matchup problems that cannot be coached. His stick length alone alters passing lanes, and when engaged physically, he is difficult to play through.
Following his tenure in Buffalo, Myers spent time with the Winnipeg Jets, where he continued to provide top-four minutes and special teams utility. Most recently, with the Vancouver Canucks, he became a veteran stabilizer — playing significant penalty-kill time and absorbing tough defensive-zone assignments. While his game has drawn scrutiny at times — particularly regarding risk management and puck decisions under pressure — he has consistently been durable and available, eclipsing 900 career NHL games in the process.
For the Dallas Stars, this acquisition addresses a structural need. General manager Jim Nill prioritized adding a right-shot defenseman capable of handling defensive-zone starts and providing size against heavier Western Conference opponents. Myers fits that profile. He will not be expected to replicate his Calder-winning offensive output, but rather to insulate younger defenders, support the penalty kill, and provide matchup flexibility in playoff scenarios.
Now in the veteran phase of his career, Myers represents a low-drama, high-utility addition. His trajectory — from rookie phenom to seasoned, situationally deployed defender — reflects adaptation within a rapidly modernizing NHL. If Dallas deploys him effectively, leveraging his reach, experience, and matchup value, this move could quietly strengthen the blue line in ways that matter most in April and May.
For a Texas-born defenseman returning to a Texas contender, the narrative arc is fitting. “Big Tex” is coming home — this time with nearly two decades of professional refinement behind him.
Trade details are as follows: Tyler Myers to Dallas for a 2nd round pick in 2027 and a 4th round pick in 2029. Vancouver is retaining 50 percent of the remainder of Myers’ contract, which makes him a $1.5 million player this year and next. (Per Pierre LeBrun)
Jim Nill strikes again.
The Morning Skate 