Alex Edler not likely to re-sign with Canucks: report

Alex Edler’s time with the Vancouver Canucks sounds like it’s coming to an end, according to a report from Sportsnet 650’s Rick Dhaliwal.

Doesn’t sound like the #Canucks and Alexander Edler will get a deal done.
Looks like 1 of the best defenseman in franchise history could be hitting the market.

— Rick Dhaliwal (@DhaliwalSports) June 17, 2019

Edler is still without a contract for next season and is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He can begin talking to other teams on June 23, when the NHL’s interview period for unrestricted free agents opens.

By all accounts, the 33-year-old wants to stay in Vancouver.

Edler was asked to waive his no-trade clause at the trade deadline, but refused.

“Some teams phoned and asked about his availability,” Benning said in February. “We contacted the agent and [Edler] wouldn’t waive his no-trade. There were no options for us there, but Alex has been a great player for us for a long time and we’d like for him to continue to be part of our team.”

Believe the main hold up in Edler negotiations with #canucks is term.

— Dan Murphy (@sportsnetmurph) June 17, 2019

Term is the biggest roadblock at the moment, according to Sportsnet’s Dan Murphy, and it’s easy to see why.

If Edler wants a long term deal, particularly one with a no-movement clause that affects his expansion draft availability two years from now, it could hurt the team.

Still, if Edler wants to stay in Vancouver, you would think re-signing with a potential move down the road to neighbouring Seattle wouldn’t be such a terrible scenario.

See also

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• Loui Eriksson's agent says he's looking at all options
• 5 under-the-radar free agent forwards the Canucks could target
• 4 under-the-radar free agent defencemen the Canucks could target

Losing Edler would create a huge hole on the Canucks’ blue line, one they could fill with another free agent or two.

TSN’s Grady Sas reports that the Canucks will aggressively pursue Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Jake Gardiner – who is arguably the best blueliner available on the open market now that Erik Karlsson has re-signed with San Jose.

Hearing that the #Canucks will “aggressively pursue” Jake Gardiner now that Alex Edler will reportedly not re-sign in Vancouver. He’s there top priority.

— Grady Sas (@GradySas) June 17, 2019

And Sportsnet 650’s Dan Riccio reports that Gardiner is interested – though it’s in his best interest to listen to all offers.

#Canucks are going to take a healthy run at Jake Gardiner, and I'm told there is mutual interest. It isn't realistic to have Edler and Gardiner on the same roster. And yes, Canucks are better with Gardiner than Edler.

— Dan Riccio (@DanRiccio650) June 17, 2019

Gardiner, who turns 29 next month, is a puck-moving defenceman and an analytics darling. The Canucks have also been linked to Winnipeg Jets defenceman Tyler Myers.

Edler has played every single one of his 814 NHL regular season games with the Canucks and is the franchise leader in goals and points among defencemen.