Edler’s value to the Canucks is either a problem or a solution
Veteran defenceman Edler’s future with the Canucks is now a front-burner issue
Alex Edler’s future value to the Vancouver Canucks, coupled with what the pending unrestricted free agent could command at the NHL deadline, is either a problem or a solution for the NHL club.
The Canucks could simply re-sign the 32-year-old defenceman. Or, they could ask the franchise’s longest-serving blueliner to waive his no-trade clause, secure a considerable draft pick or prospect in a deadline transaction and then offer Edler a new contract in free agency.
The mutual admiration between the player and the organization always has been there. However, an opportunity to add a significant trade-deadline asset can’t be overlooked — especially if you’re being true to the rebuild — and that hasn’t gone unnoticed.
Canucks general manager Jim Benning acknowledged Monday that Edler has become a front-burner issue. Despite external speculation, there haven’t been contract discussions because the Canucks must first chart a course.
“Internally, we’re going to be meeting this week with our hockey operations group and we’re going to talk about it some more and then act upon it,” Benning said. “We’re going to look at all of our options. He (Edler) has been a part of the organization for a long time and I know he wants to continue on.”
Then again, Edler would have to be convinced to do what’s right for the organization by waiving his NTC with a promise to bring him back into the fold.
“Do we have anybody who can replace what he brings to our group?” Benning asked. “Those are conversations we have to have. He’s having a good season and playing as well as he has the last three or four years. He sees the vision we’ve been talking about with drafting well and the path we’re going down and he seems excited.”
The danger is that a Stanley Cup contender could acquire Edler at the deadline and then dangle an attractive contract to keep him out of free agency. That sounds like a reach because of Edler’s loyalty to the franchise.
“If I could pick any team I wanted today, there’s no guarantees,” Edler stressed. “It’s such a competitive league and I think it’s pretty exciting with the change here. We had a great team and it’s been a rebuild and we’re on our way up. I think it would be good to be a part of that.
“I like it here and I’ve been treated well and like the city.”
Edler is not only having a renaissance season, he’s delivered on a promise to take on a bigger leadership role with the retirement of countrymen Henrik and Daniel Sedin.
He overcame an Oct. 24 knee sprain and despite missing 15 games, leads club defencemen with 19 points (4-15), ranks fourth overall in the league with 90 blocked shots in 30 games and is averaging a team-high 23:13 of ice time.
Edler is also on pace to have his best offensive season since 2011-12 when he had 49 points (11-38) and his plus-3 rating on a challenged back end is light years from the minus-39 in 2013-14.
“The team has been playing better and that has a lot to do with it,” he reasoned. “We’re playing better as a group and you play better individually. I’m trying to play the same way and I don’t know what the difference is, but I think it has a lot to do with us playing better together.
“I have a lot more to give and as long as the body is feeling good, I want to keep playing as long as I can.”
Yet, Edler also knows it’s a business. He hasn’t been asked to waive his NTC but is aware that conversation is a possibility.
“It might not be my decision, but we’ll see how it goes,” he said.
“I’ve always re-signed before my last year, so it’s a bit different. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it. I really don’t speculate too much with the different options that could happen.”
In the interim, there’s little doubt of what current and future value Edler could keep providing.
Ben Hutton, Derrick Pouliot and Michael Del Zotto are on expiring contracts and Chris Tanev has one more year remaining on his deal. The promise of Quinn Hughes is tempered by the knee surgery last month of Olli Juolevi, who probably needs a full season in the AHL to improve his pro game. And nobody in Utica is poised to make the NHL leap next fall.
It’s why regardless of how the back end shapes up, there’s a fit for Edler.
“We’ve talk to Eddie from day one about being a horse, being an aggressive player like he was in years past,” Canucks coach Travis Green said. “He looks like he has a lot of enthusiasm. And we talk about that a lot. If you don’t have passion and you don’t love coming to the rink, it’s a tough league to play in.
“He looks like he’s enjoying the compete and I like his game. He’s a big part of our team and he’s having an outstanding season.
“It’s the best I’ve seen him play in a while.”