Gardiner makes hefty contract demands after Myers’ asking price is revealed

Soon-to-be free agent defenseman Tyler Myers made his contract demands public at the beginning of the week, and teams are wondering if they can take that hit. 

TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie reported on Sportsnet 650 on Monday that he expects Myers will earn a max deal that could see him collect as much as $8 million per season in average annual value. 

That demand for defensemen is likely what is inflating the price on Myers right now. There are almost no other options on the market this time around and supply and demand is merely a reality of life.

An other defenseman looking at options on the free-agent market is Jake Gardiner, and on Wednesday, Bob McKenzie revealed that the veteran blue liner is looking $7M per year on a long-term deal.

The Vancouver Canucks are said to be looking at both defenders as options to bolster their back end. Gardiner was also mentioned as a possible return for the Toronto Maple Leafs, however, we all know how cap-strapped they are… 

The Leafs do need to improve on their blue line, but it definitely seems like any good option out there will be an expensive one…