Paul Myers and his wife for years have had a running joke in their home about "Tyler Time."

It's their catchphrase for describing Tyler Myers' internal clock, which hasn't always worked

with the efficiency of a Swiss watch. Let's just say it often takes a while before the

proverbial alarm goes off.

At least that's how it worked when the Sabres' rookie defenseman was growing up in Calgary,

Alberta. He was a good student and good kid but usually addressed his homework and family

chores on his own terms. He struggled in hockey before pouring himself into the game and

getting it right.

Paul Myers recalled Saturday how Tyler Time turned into Tyler's time last season during the

world junior championships. He skated into the tournament a very good player for Canada with

untapped potential. Ten days later, he established himself as one of the premier teenagers in

the world, an NHL-destined beast.

"That was the real turning point," Paul Myers said Saturday by telephone. "You try to tell

him things or show him things, and he figures it out on his own time. A lot of people thought

he had it in him before that. The juniors, for whatever reason and I really don't know,

brought it out."

Paul Myers is like many who have been pleasantly surprised over the growth of his 19-year-

old son in both frame and game. Myers is 6-foot-8, the second-tallest player in the league

behind Boston giant Zdeno Chara.

Myers' play has been bigger. He had an assist in the Sabres' 2-1 loss to the Rangers on

Saturday night. It was his 26th NHL game, but it might as well have been his 526th. He has

carried himself like a veteran since the season opener. He's been the Sabres' best defenseman,

one of their most reliable players and an early candidate for rookie of the year.

You can imagine Myers blossoming into a premier defenseman after a few laps around the

league, especially with more coaching and time in the weight room. He works as hard as anybody

on the team. But like many great ones, he makes the game look simple because he plays with a

slow heartbeat and very little static between the ears.

His fitting new nickname: The Big Easy.

Sabres coach Lindy Ruff figured he has been asked at least one question about Myers every

day since the season began. He was peppered with about a dozen more Saturday. You would think

it would grow old after two months, but Ruff sounded like he could talk about Myers for two

straight hours.

"No, I actually like it," Ruff said. "It's a good thing because they're asking if you're

surprised by how well he has played. I've been surprised he has been this consistent with the

amount of minutes he's been given. Keep your feet on the ground, but it has been impressive

and it's been a high level of play."

It wasn't long ago that Paul Myers made his son sit in the stands for a youth-hockey game

after a poor report card, forcing Tyler to explain to the other parents and kids why he wasn't

playing. The elder Myers once took a one-way flight to Kelowna, British Columbia for the sole

purpose of taking Tyler's truck away because he was slacking in school.

One way or another, the kid has learned from his mistakes. Spend a half hour speaking to

Paul Myers, and you know how a world-class player remained grounded in an upper middle-class

family.

Myers has lived with his father since his parents split when he was a young child. They

moved to Calgary with his stepmother when he was 10. He was a good athlete but growth spurts

made him gawky until he caught up to his body two years ago.

The Sabres are reaping the benefits of his discipline and development. Steve Montador was

one of several teammates to offer him a place to live during his first season, but Myers is

renting an apartment downtown. He has made a seamless transition into a life of independence

and responsibility in the NHL.

"One thing I've focused on this year is staying even keel," Myers said. "I don't want to

get too high or too low. I know there are going to be mistakes made. When it happens, I don't

want to get too low. It's been going really well for me, for the most part, and I don't want

to get too high."

Myers had a bad giveaway last weekend against Carolina, but he came with back with three

assists in a 5-1 victory. The Big Easy responded with a plus-4 rating over his next two games.

He had a blunder Saturday, but you wondered if the miscue even registered before he assisted

on Buffalo's only goal.

Myers entered the game Saturday with three goals and 14 points, putting him on pace for 10

goals and 45 points this season. The Sabres haven't had a defenseman with 10 goals and 45

points in the same season since Alexei Zhitnik in 1997-98. Thomas Vanek finished with 48

points in his rookie year.

Saturday marked the 20th straight game in which Myers, who leads the Sabres in ice time,

played more than 20 minutes.

Twist the numbers any way you please. The Sabres have never had a defenseman with his size

and ability, and he could be a franchise cornerstone for 15 years.

The only thing his game lacks is malice. Don't worry, his father said, he was the same way

in junior before throwing his weight around last season. It will come in time.