It’s going to be strange to see Alex Edler in a different NHL uniform, but it looks like he will wear the jersey of the Los Angeles Kings for the next season.
It has been reported that Edler signed a one-year deal with the Kings, at $3.5 million AAV, which is quite more than everyone expected for the veteran defenseman.
Earlier this month, Edler’s agent Mark Stowe had confirmed that his client would be testing free agency today despite getting an offer from the Canucks. The offer was not offensive by any means, Edler was simply curious to see what he could get out there.
Edler’s agent made it clear that it was a tough decision for the veteran blue liner who spent his entire career in Vancouver. He has been a shut-down defenseman for the club every season and could find a fit elsewhere, maybe with a contender, to get a chance to hoist the Stanley Cup before hanging up the skates.
This was the first time Edler explores free agency in his career. He’s coming off a two-year, $12-million deal inked in June 2019.
This season in 52 games, Edler tallied just eight assists, and a minus-8 rating in a tough season with the Canucks. They did not clinch a playoff spot, which we bet Edler would love to do again before it’s time to call it quits.
Edler is the highest-scoring defenseman in Canucks history with 409 career points. As for his 925 games played in Vancouver, they rank fourth among all players on the team.
And now he is part of the Kings along with free agent forward Phillip Danault, as Los Angeles signed the 28-year-old centre to a six-year, $33 million deal earlier today.
Danault spent the past six seasons with the Montreal Canadiens. He took part in 53 regular season games, scoring just five goals and adding 19 assists. However, his shutdown work was a key factor in the Habs' run to their first Stanley Cup Final appearance in 28 years. In the Canadiens' postseason run, Danault had a goal and three assists in 22 playoff contests.
