Report: Uptick in interest around Alex Edler

With the Monday NHL Trade Deadline just days away, things are picking up on the Alex Edler trade front.

Per The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun (subscription required), calls on Alex Edler have started to come in more frequently of late.

Edler, of course, is a pending UFA at the end of the season and possesses a full no-trade clause. Any trade would have to go through the blueliner first.

LeBrun believes that soon GM Jim Benning will go to Edler and present a couple trade scenarios.

At the same time, contract extension talks between the Canucks and Edler continue to be ongoing.

LeBrun ultimately believes it will come down to what kind of trade offers Benning gets in the next few days and how Edler reacts to them.

With the Canucks battling for playoff position in the Western Conference, you’d have to think it would need to be a solid return for Benning to make the move.

Edler is currently dealing with a concussion and still leads all Vancouver blueliners in scoring with 20 points in 38 games.

Benning has gone on record saying it is a priority to work out a contract extension for Edler.

The 32-year-old blueliner has spent his entire 13-year NHL career in Vancouver and has stated his desire to stay. His six-year, $30-million contract expires at the end of this season.

Edler is the longest-tenured Canuck and it’s hard to see him waiving his no-trade clause. Even if it was to a legit contender, the Swedish rearguard seems very happy where he is in Vancouver.

It will be interesting to see if Benning can get any assets for him. There also the possibly that Vancouver could loan him to a contending team for playoff run and then bring him back July 1st in free agency. Of course, that is thinking outside the box and could be a risky move, but there are certainly some intriguing potential scenarios.

With Ben Hutton playing more minutes and Quinn Hughes arriving soon, it’s debatable whether the Canucks can afford to give up Edler right now.

An Edler trade is a possibility, but it’s more than likely that this will be a rather quiet trade deadline for the Canucks.