The Vancouver Canucks aren't considering trading defenseman Alex Edler, even though teams are reportedly interested in his services, said president Trevor Linden on Tuesday.
While Edler, 28, struggled in 2013-14, the Canucks are looking to the Swede to have a bounce-back season.
Linden was in Ottawa on Tuesday to address the Canadian Men's Health Foundation, and he spoke about Edler's future, which looks like it will remain in Vancouver:
He’s got all the tools to be a dominant No. 1 defenseman.
He’d be the first to admit he didn’t have a good year, and part of our job is to recapture the Alex Edler that we all know he can be. He has the skill-set that every team wants and we just have to get him back where he should be.
There isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t have its hand up for the opportunity to have an Alex Edler. It’s not in our consideration. We want to work with Alex; we have to get his game back, and I know he’s committed to doing that.
Edler had seven goals and 15 assists in 63 games this past season, while averaging 23:17 in ice time. He finished a league-worst -39, as flawed as the plus-minus stat may be. While he certainly struggled, Edler's advanced statistics don't suggest he's suddenly no longer a reliable defenseman.
Edler, like many of his Vancouver teammates, struggled in a year full of change:
I’m at my best when I don’t think too much and just react out there and trust my instincts. That’s something I have to get back to next year. There were a lot of changes this year and a lot of new things to get used to. I didn’t have the year that I should have had, but I know I’m a good player. I’m going to have to come back next year and do a better job at being better every game and being more consistent.
Edler's under contract through 2018-19 at a cap hit of $5 million, and has a no-trade clause.
