NHL fines Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers $5,000 for elbowing

Vancouver Canucks defenceman Tyler Myers has been levied the maximum fine allowable for an elbow during Saturday night’s game.

The incident happened with just under 12 minutes left in the third period, when Myers laid a hit on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly. The fine, according to the NHL’s department of player safety, will see Myers forfeit $5,000 in salary.

Kuraly was on the forecheck in the Canucks zone, when Myers went to lay a body check on the winger. Myers, however, spun and lifted his arm, catching Kuraly in the head.

Seconds later, defenceman Ian Cole had came into the mix, too, getting issued a five-minute major for a hit from behind on Blue Jackets winger Justin Danforth. But after the play was reviewed, Myers was the only one penalized, receiving a major for elbowing and a 10-minute game misconduct.

Myers has faced supplemental discipline from the league before, having been suspended in March 2012 for boarding Montreal Canadiens forward Scott Gomez, and in January 2016, he was fined $5,000 for cross-checking San Jose Sharks forward Tommy Wingles. In 49 games this season, Myers has scored three goals and 18 points.

Vancouver’s 5-4 win over Columbus Saturday night marked their final game ahead of the All-Star break, one which will see six members of the Canucks heading to Toronto: J.T. Miller, Quinn Hughes, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, Thatcher Demko and head coach Rick Tocchett.

Miller has scored 21 goals and 46 assists for 67 points, a team-high, while Pettersson (27-37—64) and Hughes (12-50—62) aren’t far behind. Boeser, meanwhile, hit the 30 goal plateau last night, and has 52 points on the season. Demko’s a potential candidate for the Vezina trophy this year, with 26 wins in 35 games, while posting a .920 save percentage and a 2.44 GAA.

When the Canucks return from the break, they will embark on a five-game road trip that will see them visit the Carolina Hurricanes, the Boston Bruins, the Detroit Red Wings, the Washington Capitals and the Chicago Blackhawks.

Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at @zjlaing, or reached by email at zach@thenationnetwork.com.