Canucks re-sign D Edler to 2-year, $12M deal

The Vancouver Canucks re-signed veteran defenseman Alexander Edler to a two-year, $12 million contract, general manager Jim Benning said Thursday. The 33-year-old could have become an unrestricted free agent next month.

"Alex is important to our team and has played as the cornerstone of our defense throughout his career," 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 has played his entire 13-year career with the Canucks, registering 94 goals and 274 assists in 814 games. The Swede ranks seventh in franchise history in games played.

"I'm for sure happy. I've said all along that I wanted to stay," Edler said on a conference call with reporters. "I was willing to try to get something done until the end." Limited to 56 games in 2018-19 due to a concussion in February, Edler finished with 10 goals and 24 assists.