The Vancouver Canucks announced that defenceman Tyler Myers will not return to tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Myers pinched up in the offensive zone and collided awkwardly with Flyers forward Joel Farabee. He immediately went down, curled in a ball, and was noticeably ailing on the ice. After a few minutes of the trainers checking on him, Myers stood up, was helped to the bench by teammates JT Miller and Derek Forbort, and headed straight to the locker room.

The severity of the injury is still unknown.

After night one against the Calgary Flames – a game in which they allowed six goals – the Canucks’ blueline was already a little shaky. Head coach Rick Tocchet decided to make a change, making Vincent Desharnais – who signed a two-year, $2 million contract on July 1st – a healthy scratch. Right-shot defenceman Noah Juulsen – who suited up in 54 games last season – drew into the lineup.

Myers has been relatively healthy throughout his Canucks tenure. He’s played no less than 68 games in a season – he played 55 of 56 games in the shortened 2020-21 bubble season – since signing in Vancouver and has averaged over 20 minutes of ice time in four of five seasons.

The 34-year-old defenceman signed a fresh three-year, $9 million ($3 million average annual value) contract extension earlier this offseason, keeping him in Vancouver until the 2027-2028 season.

The Canucks will have big shoes to fill if Myers is set to miss time. Fellow right-shot defenceman Desharnais will likely draw back in the lineup for their next game as they travel to Tampa Bay in a date with the Lightning. Recently assigned Mark Friedman may also be an option for a call-up with Abbotsford’s stacked defence corps.

The Canucks will skate the remainder of their game against the Flyers with five defencemen: Quinn Hughes, Filip Hronek, Carson Soucy, Derek Forbort and Noah Juulsen.

More to come.