Canucks extend Edler

by James Mirtle on Oct 10, 2008 12:57 PM CDT Comment 8 comments

Vancouver Canucks General Manager Mike Gillis announced today that the club has signed defenceman Alex Edler to a four-year contract extension through the 2012-13 NHL season. Edler enters his third season as a Vancouver Canuck.

"Alex is a gifted puck-moving defenceman who sees the ice extremely well for such a young player," said Mike Gillis. "He has made great strides in his career and we look forward to further growth and development in his game."
>> team release

Edler really came out of nowhere last season to have a very strong year when injuries hit the Vancouver blueline. He's only played 98 NHL games to this point but looks like a keeper.

I'll have the financial figures here when I see them.

UPDATE The contract is for $3.25-million per year, which strikes me as high given what he's proven so far. Only 22, Edler has terrific potential, however.

You wonder what happens when some of these kids flame out down the line. Buyouts for everyone?

0 recs | Comment 8 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Looking forward to hearing the numbers. Some of the contracts for good young defensemen have been jaw-dropping...wonder if Gillis will have had to overpay? Term sounds good. Edler's been excellent so far.

by Jeremy on Oct 10, 2008 1:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

TSN is reporting $3.25M

http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=252191&lid=sublink01&lpos=headlines_main

by MB on Oct 10, 2008 2:44 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

$3.25m, without including a single UFA season. He'll still turn unrestricted as quickly as possible for him.

I thought every Vancouver D had to be paid $3.5m per, though.

by saskhab on Oct 10, 2008 3:20 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It makes sense for the Canucks to complete this contract now. Edler would've been a restricted free agent at the end of the season. If he were to continue to develop at the pace which he did last season, his next contract as an RFA would've been very expensive for Vancouver.

by Timothy on Oct 10, 2008 3:56 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, that does seem high for right now, although he was (and will be through this season) excellent value at near minimum salary. More paying for potential, I guess. If (and that's a big if) he keeps progressing like he has been, he won't likely be overpaid in those last two years. If not...yikes.

by Jeremy on Oct 10, 2008 4:38 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

This is a better deal than what Nonis reached with Bieksa who is locked down for less years at a larger number and since going off last season with the Injury the money they've been paying for potential doesn't look as though its as great as it was projecting.

As long as Edlers development doesn't stop dead this is a very good signing by Gillis.

Now he just has to figure out what to do with Ohlund but if he can figure out good terms there and keep this group together Vancouver is going to continue to look like one of the top $ value to talent defensive corps in the league.

by teebs on Oct 10, 2008 7:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

i have no problem with that contract after seeing what mediocre defensemen got on the free agent market this year...ie: jeff finger, ron hainsley, mike commodore, ect. edler is way better than any of them and many in vancouver see him as a younger version of mattias ohlund.

the canucks, with the exception of ohlund who's a ufa after this year, have mitchell, bieksa, salo, and edler all locked into reasonable contracts. that's pretty good. if their d-men stay healthy this year, they could end up being a dangerous team.

by Steve Patterson on Oct 11, 2008 10:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Next seasons cap number will be south of 50M so I would be careful throwing money around at times like these.

Loonie's sharp drop is bad news but so is recession, too. When you lose your house you might think twice before you for 100 bucks to see trap.

Didn't Canadian teams lose 10% of their revenue this week?

by Anonymous on Oct 11, 2008 12:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs