Report: Canucks working on contract extension with Alex Edler

With just days to go before Monday’s NHL trade deadline, there’s been plenty of speculation on the Canucks potentially trading Alex Edler. But the team is reportedly working towards an extension with its top defenseman.

Edler, who carries a $5 million cap hit in the final season of a six-year, $30 million contract, has five goals and 20 points in 38 games this season, which leads all Vancouver blueliners.

He is currently on injured reserve due to a concussion he suffered earlier in the month. Following Thursday’s 3-2 overtime loss to the Arizona Coyotes, the Canucks are now 2-4-2 without Edler in the lineup. And as the club continues to fight for a playoff spot, the absence of the veteran D-man and how much the team relies on him has become evident.

The 32-year-old’s current deal contains a no-trade clause, making a trade all the more unlikely, but both he and the team are apparently doing all they can so that he stays in Vancouver, according to TSN’s Pierre LeBrun.

Canucks general manager Jim Benning spoke highly of Edler on TSN 1040 at the beginning of the month, calling him their best defenceman, a leader and mentor to the younger players, namely Elias Petterson.

He added that Edler has made it clear he wishes to stay in Vancouver.

The Swede has spent his entire career with the Canucks since being selected No. 91 overall in the 2004 draft. He became Vancouver’s longest-tenured player after Daniel and Henrik Sedin retired last summer. In 796 regular-season games, he has 89 goals and 265 assists.

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