Buffalo Sabres coach Ted Nolan said Tuesday he hopes defenseman Tyler Myers isn't traded prior to the NHL Trade Deadline next month.
"He's one of the bright spots on this team," Nolan told the Buffalo News. "When you go through a rebuilding and restocking of the organization, some of the pieces you keep and you surround them. Tyler Myers is one of those guys you build your team around."
Myers has two goals and 10 assists, is a minus-12, and averages a Sabres-high 25:13 of ice time in 42 games prior to Tuesday.
NHL TRADE DEADLINE: MARCH 2
Selected 12th in the 2008 NHL Draft, Myers has 43 goals, 148 points and 248 penalty minutes in 360 games and won the Calder Trophy for the 2008-09 season.
"I've gotten pretty used to [the rumors]," Myers said. "Just because it's closer to the deadline, it's not going to change anything for me."
Myers said he doesn't think he will be traded.
"I've seen enough in the media to know that [general manager Tim Murray is] not shopping me, but I think every player should understand for the right price, I'm sure anything can happen," Myers said. "Until that time comes, if it ever comes, the focus is to play as well as I can for this team."
There are other Sabres who could be sought by teams competing for a spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The candidates include forwards Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, Torey Mitchell, and defenseman Andrej Meszaros.
Nolan had some advice for them:
"Maybe somebody will see you and want you," he told the Buffalo News.
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