Vancouver Canucks: A look at the Left-Handed Defence depth chart

Over the past few weeks, I have been going over the Vancouver Canucks depth at different positions. Next up on the list is the left side of the blue line.

The Vancouver Canucks infamously came back with the exact same defence group last season that they did in the 2017-18 season. While general manager Jim Benning made some key personnel changes, such as moving Erik Gudbranson and Michael Del Zotto out, the defence still remains a question mark.

Let’s take a look at how the Canucks look on the left side of the blue line currently. Keep in mind, Benning has said he intends on giving the defence a bit of a new look this offseason.

Alex Edler

What a player Alex Edler has been for the Canucks these past couple of years. He has been tasked with playing on the top defence pair of a team that isn’t nearly as strong as the teams Edler was used to playing on earlier in his career. Edler is a veteran presence in the locker room, and as seen in this Troy Stecher mic’d up video, is someone that young defencemen on the team turn to for guidance.

While you can’t put a price tag on leadership, Edler is in need of a contract, as he will be an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. There have been multiple rumours as to why the Canucks haven’t come to an agreement with Edler’s camp yet, some say it’s term, some say it’s money, and some people are speculating that Edler wants a NMC that would protect him from the Seattle expansion draft.

Whatever the case may be, the Canucks will need to get something done this offseason to bring Edler back. Both sides have expressed interest in getting a deal done, and I believe that something will get done and that Edler will be back as a Canuck next season.