Is there maybe something wrong with Tyler Myers?

Once again, the Sabres supposed-star-defensemen looks lost on the ice. We went through this last year, when he was benched to send a message. Apparently, he's forgotten that message over the lock-out. Sharing ice-time with one of the hottest lines in hockey (Vanek is out of his mind right now!), Myers has 1 goal, zero assists and is a -6.

Touted as the Sabres #1 defensemen, his play is actually killing them.

Barring some kind of secret injury, I can't think of a reason to explain why, with his superior size and skating ability, he loses most every puck battle. Wasn't he hanging out with Shea Weber in the off-season? Learning to be a nastier physical force? With his size, he should be more like Chara, instead he's more like Ville Leino. Not everyone has to be a masher, but imagine if Tyler Myers had Steve Ott's motor...or even Nathan Gerbe's. He seems unsure and timid on both defense and offense. His rushes are now often ill-timed and ill-advised. He was also one of the teams chosen representatives during the lockout, and did nothing. He had to be replaced.

So, what is going on?

I don't know.

Did he get his mega-contract too soon? Probably. He does not look motivated to me. I argue that he needs to be scratched for more than just one game. In this shortened season, there isn't time for him to re-prove himself during practices, so I think after sitting for a while, he needs to be bumped down to the bottom pairing and fight to regain his ice-time. Something has to shake this kid up. His ice-time shouldn't be guaranteed, regardless of his salary. It should be earned on a nightly basis.