The Los Angeles Kings have made a move to keep some of their defence together. Alex Edler re-signs with the club on a one-year deal worth $750,000. There’s a chance to add another $750,000 in bonuses if he hits marks in games played and other things. News of the deal broke on Tuesday afternoon.
The @LAKings have signed defenseman Alex Edler to a one-year contract extension with a base salary of $750,000 and is eligible to earn an additional $750,000 in games played bonuses. https://t.co/d3NfarwCkj
— LA Kings PR (@LAKingsPR) July 12, 2022
Alex Edler Re-Signs With Kings
Edler has played 16 seasons in the NHL, with 15 of those coming with the Vancouver Canucks. The veteran Swede has 102 goals and 326 assists for 428 points in 966 career games. Vancouver originally drafted Edler in the third round, 91st overall in the 2004 NHL Draft.
The 36-year-old scored three goals and handed out 16 assists for 19 points in 41 games last season. His Corsi for was 52.1 and he had a relative Corsi of -1.7. He missed a portion of the season with a lower-body injury that he suffered in December.
Edler is regard as one of the best defencemen in Canucks history. He holds franchise records for most goals, assists, and points scored by a defenceman for Vancouver.
The Ostersund, Sweden native is a two-time IIHF World Champion for his native country with wins in 2013 and 2017. Edler also has an Olympic silver medal after helping Sweden to the gold medal game in Sochi in 2014.
What It Means
The Kings took a big step forward last season and made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Edler missed a big chunk of the season, but he can still be a helpful defender. He’s a solid veteran that can help on the bottom pair if needed.
He may not provide the offence like he used to in Vancouver, but he can help a younger Kings team try to make themselves a threat in the Pacific Division. Edler hit double-digit goals from the blueline three times with Vancouver. His best season was 11 goals in the 2011-12 when the Canucks won the President’s Trophy.
SOMEONE PINCH US
(cause you can’t pinch Alex Edler) pic.twitter.com/Q9hZaQJf14— LA Kings (@LAKings) March 18, 2022
