Edler signs two-year contract to stay with Canucks

Alexander Edler signed a two-year, $12 million contract to remain with the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

The contract has an average annual value of $6 million. The 33-year-old defenseman had 34 points (10 goals, 24 assists) in 56 games this season and could have been an unrestricted free agent July 1.
"I said all along that I wanted to stay and I wanted to try to get something done," he said. "In the end we agreed on a deal that I think was fair to both parts, and I'm happy with that.
"I've said from the beginning if a deal was there with Vancouver that was my No. 1 priority. I didn't think too much about [becoming a free agent] while negotiating with Vancouver."

Edler said he'd like to play his entire career with the Canucks.
"I am just excited about these two years and then we will see what is going on after that, how I am doing and where team the team is," he said. "But in a perfect world we are a great team then and I still feel good, I can still contribute, so in a perfect world, I would love to play my last games for the Canucks, whenever that is."
Selected by Vancouver in the third round (No. 91) of the 2004 NHL Draft, Edler has 368 points (94 goals, 274 assists) in 841 regular-season games (13 seasons), and 31 points (eight goals, 23 assists) in 65 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
Edler ranks seventh in games played for the Canucks and first in goals and points by a defenseman.
"Alex is important to our team and has played as the cornerstone of our defense throughout his career," general manager Jim Benning said. "He's a leader with tremendous experience, plays important minutes and contributes to every part of our team game. We're very pleased for Alex and his family that he'll continue his career as a Vancouver Canuck."
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