Former Predators Defenseman Finds New NHL Home with Maple Leafs

On Friday morning, the Toronto Maple Leafs announced that they had signed defenseman Philippe Myers, who previously played for the Nashville Predators, to a two-year contract extension worth $1.7 million ($850k AAV).

Myers, 27, is a once-promising defenseman who broke onto the scene with the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2019-20 season, playing an NHL career-high 50 games in the Orange and Black.

Myers regressed in the following season and, as a result, was dealt to the Predators in the blockbuster deal that saw Myers and former No. 2 overall pick Nolan Patrick arrive in Nashville in exchange for star defenseman Ryan Ellis.

In 27 games with the Predators, Myers managed to produce a goal, three assists, and four points in 27 games while averaging, at the time, a career-low 14:53 of ice time.

On July 3, 2022, the Predators traded Myers and Grant Mismash to the Tampa Bay Lightning for Ryan McDonagh, who was just traded back to Tampa Bay on May 21 for a second-round pick in 2025 and a 2024 seventh-round pick.

Playing for his third NHL organization, Myers played just 16 combined NHL games for the Lightning between the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

The 6-foot-5, Moncton, N.B., native bet on himself in the offseason, accepting a one-year, two-way contract with the Maple Leafs, which he has now parlayed into a two-year contract extension.

It's been a long road for the 27-year-old Myers, who flattered to deceive for much of his Predators tenure. Good on the undrafted defenseman for not allowing a pivotal season in his career to define it, instead continuing to grind away at the AHL level in hopes of being given another chance at sticking in the big leagues.

Somewhat ironically, Myers actually played for the Toronto organization during his time with the Predators, when he was loaned to the Toronto Marlies once Nashville acquired Alex Biega for future considerations.

Myers has featured in 11 games for the Maple Leafs this season, recording two assists. And it appears that he has played well enough to have finally found a home in the NHL.

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