A new era of Vancouver Canucks hockey is beginning with the firing of Patrik Allvin, Jim Rutherford taking a lesser role with the organization, and the hiring of Ryan Johnson as General Manager and Daniel and Henrik Sedin as Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations. All three of the new Canucks regime played together, and are reportedly bringing in another former teammate to help out.

On Friday morning, Mattias Oak of the HockeyNews Sweden reported that Canucks defenceman Alex Edler is “on the verge” of joining his former organization for this summer’s development camp.

“According to information to the HockeyNews, the plans is for their former Canucks teammate Alexander Edler to help out this summer’s development camp, so he will also get a part in the organization.” Translated by Google Translate.

Edler was drafted by the Canucks in the third round (91st overall) of the 2004 NHL Draft, making his NHL debut on November 4 of 2006, against the Colorado Avalanche. He went on to play 22 games that season, scoring one goal and two assists for three points with a plus-3 rating while averaging 11:47 minutes of ice time.

The 6’4″, left-shot defenceman quickly emerged as the Canucks’ top defenceman, and went on to play 15 seasons in Vancouver. Edler topped out at 11 goals and 38 assists for 49 points in the 2011-12 season, and finished his Canucks tenure as the franchise leader in goals (99), assists (310), points (409), and games played (925) among blueliners. Former captain Quinn Hughes surpassed Edler in assists and points before he was traded to the Minnesota Wild in December of 2025.

With the Sedins moving up to Co-Presidents of Hockey Operations, it leaves two massive voids in the Canucks’ player development department. They served in that role for the previous four seasons before accepting this promotion earlier this month. If he were to join the organization in a player development role, Edler would join Mikael Samuelsson as former Canucks in that department.