By Canadian Press

Vancouver Canucks sign defenceman Alex Edler to two-year extension

Jun 20, 2019 | 11:49 AM

VANCOUVER — Defenceman Alex Edler says signing an extension with the Vancouver Canucks was always his top priority.

On Thursday, the Canucks announced that the 33-year-old Swede had inked a deal worth an average annual value of US$6 million to stay in Vancouver for two more years.

“I’m for sure happy. I’ve said all along that I wanted to stay,” Edler said on a conference call. “I was willing to try to get something done until the end.”

A third-round pick (91st overall) in 2004 by the Canucks, Edler has spent his entire NHL career in Vancouver and leads the franchise in points among defencemen (368).

He was selected to the NHL all-star game in 2012, has 31 points in 65 playoff games, and has represented Sweden multiple times at the Olympics, world championships and world junior championship.

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“Alex is important to our team and has played as the cornerstone of our defence throughout his career,” Canucks GM Jim Benning said in a statement. “He’s a leader with tremendous experience, plays important minutes and contributes to every part of our team game.”

Edler had an opportunity to test the free agent market come July 1, but said staying in B.C. was always his goal.

“I’ve said from the beginning that if a deal was there with Vancouver, that was my number one priority,” Edler said. “You never know what’s out there in free agency so I didn’t think too much about that.”

Last season, the veteran defenceman had 10 goals and 24 assists in 56 games, but struggled with injuries.

Asked if he would consider taking games off to better manage his health, Edler said he simply wants to play hockey as long as his body feels good.

“I come into training camp in great shape every year and I certainly think my body can take 82 games,” he said.

“There’s unexpected things that happen, that have happened to me. But injuries are part of it. I’m obviously trying every year not to get injured. But sometimes there’s nothing you can do.”

Still, Edler said he understands that his role with the Canucks may evolve as younger defencemen like Quinn Hughes grow into stronger NHL players.

Ice time should always go to whoever is playing the best, Edler said.

“I’m always going to try to be the best out there every game, the best that I can,” he said. “If guys are better than me, they should play more. That’s just how it works.”

Whether another extension with the Canucks could come in two years remains to be seen, the blue liner said.

“In a perfect world, we’re still a good team then, I can still contribute,” Edler said. “So in my perfect world, I would like to play my last game for the Canucks, whenever that is.”

Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press