The Maple Leafs signed Myers to a one-year deal back on July 2.
BOSTON — After being a healthy scratch for the first eight games of the season, Philippe Myers is set to make his season debut as the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Boston Bruins.
Myers initially earned a roster spot with the Leafs but was positioned as the team’s eighth defenseman. Signs of the Leafs' confidence in him were evident early, as they chose to pair him with Jake McCabe during their final pre-season game on Oct. 5 against the Detroit Red Wings.
"He came into camp and earned a spot. He played physical. He was good on a penalty kill. You know, he was defending very well back there," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said about Myers.
Myers is expected to skate on the team’s third pairing alongside Simon Benoit, even though this pairing wasn't used during the team's practice on Friday in Toronto.
On July 2, the Leafs signed the 27-year-old Myers to a one-year, $775,000 contract. It's been a journey for Myers to rejoin the Toronto organization. He previously played for the Toronto Marlies under a loan condition in a 2021-22 trade, contributing to the Leafs’ renewed interest when he became a free agent this summer.
In that season the defenseman had two goals and five assists in 16 games.
Myers journey back to Toronto faced a minor setback on his drive from his New Brunswick home to Leafs Camp in early September when he got a flat tire. Rather than waiting for CAA, Myers took matters into his own hands, jacking the car up and changing the tire himself.
Upon arriving at camp, he further impressed the Leafs by scoring highly in fitness tests during medicals.
"I pride myself on my fitness, and I'm usually in the top-3 in these types of tests, but this time I was at the top," he told The Hockey News on Oct. 7.
The Leafs expect a physical matchup with the Bruins, and having the 6-foot-5 Myers in the lineup should aid them in competing on size and helping with the penalty kill.
"He's a big guy. You know, just a simple game but hard to play against is the best way I can put it. And he killed well for us in preseason," Berube said of Myers.
Myers brings 158 games of NHL experience across seven seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers, Nashville Predators, and Tampa Bay Lightning.