Vancouver Canucks: Mixed messages on Alex Edler contract front

As the Vancouver Canucks continue to try to work out a deal with their longest-tenured defenceman, members of the media have been delivering mixed messages about what’s being completed. Here’s a recap of everything we have been told so far.

First, we were told management would ask him to waive, then we were told they were trying to get a deal done with Alex Edler — the Vancouver Canucks‘ franchise leader in games played by a defenceman.

It became evident fairly early on that Edler would not be waiving his no-trade clause. We were then told a contract extension was likely on the horizon. Sportsnet’s Iain MacIntyre reported Friday that the frame work for the extension should be laid out by Monday but was not sure if it will be signed that day. He also added that to his understanding, the term of the deal will be “gentle no matter what.”

Just moments after this report from MacIntyre, fellow Sportsnet reporter Rick Dhaliwal tweeted that despite all the reports out there saying Edler and the Canucks were getting close to striking up a deal, he was hearing the exact opposite. In Dhaliwal’s own words, “Lots of reports saying the Canucks are close to re-signing Edler, I’m hearing more than a lot of work to do and not even close.” Well, there’s a curveball.

Then yesterday, Dhaliwal tweeted that talks were still at a standstill between Edler and the Canucks, and that chances are extremely slim Edler is traded on Monday’s trade deadline. Straight, from the horse’s mouth, general manager Jim Benning went on the record saying the Canucks would be looking into making a “hockey deal” at the trade deadline this year.

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What does this mean? Essentially that they are not going to be trading away any picks, and may mean that they don’t look to acquire picks, either. It likely means that any deal made will revolve around players, and since most of the Canucks’ notable trade chips are out with injuries, it is unlikely anything even remotely close to a blockbuster is completed by tomorrow.

The likelihood Edler gets traded is extremely slim — and based on the reports we’ve seen, there are far too many mixed messages as to when the deal will be completed. There are also far too many reports about the term and money being negotiated, but the ones I’m seeing are saying the Canucks are in the two to three-year range, and Edler’s camp is looking for around four years.

Another interesting rumour I saw was that the thing that was putting the brakes on the deal was the fact that Edler wants another no-trade clause or no-movement clause. Benning appears to be cautious about giving him one, however, because any player with such clause automatically uses a protection spot in the Seattle expansion draft.

If Edler’s play declines at the later part of his contract, the Canucks will still be forced to use a spot protect him and could lose a key part of their future defence core as a result. Benning seems to be adamant on not including an NTC or NMC as apart of this deal — and would be wise to shy away from giving him one.

As the Canucks continue to try to work out a deal with Edler, we will all be keeping a close eye on the trade front as the deadline fast approaches. While it is extremely unlikely Edler is moved, his contract extension could be signed at any time now, despite all the mixed messages being sent out by the current rumours and reports.