The Los Angeles Kings have agreed to sign unrestricted free-agent defenceman Alexander Edler to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $3.5 million AAV.
Alex Edler in LA, one year deal, $3.5M
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021
Alexander Edler Signs With the Los Angeles Kings
In Edler, the Kings get an experienced defenceman who is used to playing over 20 minutes a game. However, Edler has been declining both offensively and defensively so far this past season. This past season, Edler scored 0 goals and 8 assists for 8 points in 52 games, adding 58 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 39.6 percent Corsi and a Relative Corsi of -10.9. These totals are far removed from the 2019-20 season, when he scored five goals and 28 assists for 33 points in 59 games. His possession numbers last season were 49 percent Corsi and a Relative Corsi of .5.
Edler has spent his entire 15-year NHL career with the Canucks. The Canucks drafted him 91st overall in the 3rd round of the 2004 NHL Draft. He has 99 career goals and 310 career assists for 409 career points in 925 career games for the Canucks. His career possession numbers are 51.3 percent Corsi and a relative Corsi of 1.7.
The Canucks made the playoffs eight times with Edler, but he has never won a Stanley Cup. They went to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010-11, but lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games. In 82 playoff games, Edler has eight goals and 30 assists for 38 points and added 201 blocked shots and 186 hits. He averaged 23:22 of ice time.
What This Means for the Future
Edler spent most of the season paired with Nate Schmidt on the Canucks’ first pairing. With Quinn Hughes on the second pairing with Travis Hamonic. The Canucks defence will be different with the signing of Luke Schenn and trades involving Schmidt and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.
Main Photo:
EDMONTON, AB – MAY 15: Vancouver Canucks Defenceman Alexander Edler (23) in action in the third period during the Edmonton Oilers game versus the Vancouver Canucks on MAY 15, 2021 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
