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Is Alex Edler Peaking at 32?


dank.sinatra

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Defensemen have this weird tendency to peak at strange times. Giordano and Burns both come to mind in this regard, although this situation might be even stranger, seeing as how Edler went through a span of about 4 or 5 years being a shell of what he was before finally finding himself again somewhat last year and even more so this year.

 

There are a few other things to consider as well. Firstly, he did have back surgery in 2011. There is the possibility that this back injury has has some lingering side effects for the last several years and he's finally getting over it now. Pure conjecture of course, but if this is the case, there's no way we would ever know about it.

 

Also, it should be noted that this is the first time that the Sedins haven't been a factor. Now I love the Sedins to death and consider them to be the greatest Canucks of all time, but there's no denying that in their twilight years they were a pretty significant defensive liability, and considering how often Edler played with them, it stands to reason that he would be the one to half to deal with many of their defensive lapses. 

 

Just spitballin' a few things.

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35 minutes ago, Tre Mac said:

Two players reasons:  Chris Tanev and Elias Pettersson.  Tanev makes any d-man better, even Edler.  This allows Edler to jump the rush more contributing to more points which is where EP40 factors in as well.  EP40 gives the team hope in joining the rush and also give the Canucks more possession time in the offensive zone.   The resurgence of Edler has been great, just hope this isn't a contract thing and he continues it if he resigns here. 

Edler doesn't need any player to make him better. He plays outrageous minutes night after night, bearing the weight of supplying the physical aspect of a lightweight Canuck D. He doesn't fight but he doesn't back down either. He puts his body in the line of the hardest slappers and does it consistently. He also had the skating and the IQ to often combine in Sedin moves to effect. He also shows up in the Playoffs scoring 31 points in 65 games.

 

The fact is he would immediately increase the chances of any Cup contender and every GM in the league knows it.

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1 minute ago, alfstonker said:

Edler doesn't need any player to make him better. He plays outrageous minutes night after night, bearing the weight of supplying the physical aspect of a lightweight Canuck D.

I think that having Gudbranson has helped to lighten that load considerably. Hutton finding his physical groove has helped as well. That being said, both players mentioned, as well as Tanev and Stecher have credited Eagle with being someone they look up to as a player. Edler and Tanev have been one of the more underrated parings in the league.

1 minute ago, alfstonker said:

He doesn't fight but he doesn't back down either. He puts his body in the line of the hardest slappers and does it consistently. He also had the skating and the IQ to often combine in Sedin moves to effect. He also shows up in the Playoffs scoring 31 points in 65 games.

 

The fact is he would immediately increase the chances of any Cup contender and every GM in the league knows it.

He is a huge part of the reason that the Canucks are having such a great year.

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1 minute ago, PhillipBlunt said:

I think that having Gudbranson has helped to lighten that load considerably. Hutton finding his physical groove has helped as well. That being said, both players mentioned, as well as Tanev and Stecher have credited Eagle with being someone they look up to as a player. Edler and Tanev have been one of the more underrated parings in the league.

He is a huge part of the reason that the Canucks are having such a great year.

You have pointed out a couple of good reasons for Edler's great year (he started an upward trend in the 2nd half of last season).  There appears to be no suggestion of his chronic back problems and his overall physical endurance/strength seems better.  I also think he is inspired by his veteran status and the new phase of the rebuild with the young stars (in particular Pettersson).

 

Some fans will continue to underrate Edler by suggesting he be re-signed for ridiculous $ and term or suggest that he is only playing well due to a contract year.

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34 minutes ago, alfstonker said:

Edler doesn't need any player to make him better.

I disagree, Tanev makes any D-man play better and Edler is no exception.  Pair Elder with MDZ and you'll notice a difference. 

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5 minutes ago, Tre Mac said:

I disagree, Tanev makes any D-man play better and Edler is no exception.  Pair Elder with MDZ and you'll notice a difference. 

Not in his game - just the way the game transpires.

All that would mean is Edler would have to work harder not that HIS performance would be less. It's a perception.

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31 minutes ago, mpt said:

He’s been playing great hockey for years, just nobody appreciates or realizes it.  

His consistency issues are what he gets flack for. People are quick to point out the flaws in his game but fail to mention the good things he does. He’s as good a defenceman the Canucks have had this decade. 

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Been defending Edler on here for years. Funny how even good players have their worst years on bad/paper thin teams with bad coaches/systems and injuries to not only himself but players that would otherwise share some of the defensive load (Tanev, Sutter, Gudbranson etc).

 

Feels weird to have vast swaths of CDC on board, where they should have been the whole time...

 

See the sig:

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7 hours ago, captainhorvat said:

He should buy into the system every year not just when he wants.

You are following the CDC " company line ".

 

He has been one of the teams top defensemen since he got here.

 

People rip on him because he's not a 50 point scorer, he doesn't always utilize his size or when he gets into a physical groove he gets more penalties then he's the guy who takes poor penalties.....and so on.

 

Pretty solid dman, a Canucks draft pick, someone who loves being here and playing in Vancouver. A team leader.

 

Pretty sure contract years tend to be similar for most players, not sure why it's a bad thing but something else we can rip him about I guess.

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55 minutes ago, mpt said:

He’s been playing great hockey for years, just nobody appreciates or realizes it.  

The silent minority ( majority ? ) has always been there. Posters grew weary of refuting the same old garbage from the vocal 'negative ninjas', which will reappear as soon as we have a couple of losses in a row or AE has a bad game.

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Edler has always been a solid D man for this club. He has been playing #1 minutes and doing the job admirably despite really being a #2 guy. Look at the trickle down effect at center by bringing in EP. Bo doesn’t have to do everything Sutter just has to focus on shutdown minutes (when he gets back). Edler is improving due to increased depth (largely more defencive forwards this year), better coaching and let’s face it...hope. Wait until Hughes shows up and Edler is going to look like a star as he won’t be the only D that can put up some offence. 

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19 minutes ago, erkayloomeh said:

Even when edlers play was not number one D man material neither was his pay. I've been fine with edlers play compared to his salary. At the moment the team is getting a deal.

I think Eddie's going to get a four year contract worth about 25 mill. 

Think you are very close to the truth... I'd prefer a shorter contract with a higher number to start with, and then a promise of an additional contract at a lower number if he wants it afterwards (with numbers adding up to somewhere around your proposal)... The numbers game would work better for Benning trying to fit a contender under the cap, once EP and BB have been paid...If the shorter/ more expensive contract require a NTC, then just add it... 

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