Canucks: Will the Real Alex Edler Please Step Forward
Canucks - Edler checking Oilers - Hall
Written by: Larry “The Nucks IceMan” Johnson
Every season I patiently wait to see if this will be the year that Alex Edler finally blossoms into the top defenseman that the Canucks expect him to be. This will be Edler’s fifth season in the NHL having played in 304 games, while scoring 32 goals and adding 103 assists.
Since being drafted in round three (91st overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Edler has been somewhat of an enigma. This 24 year old that stands 6’3”, weighs 222 lbs. and possesses a heavy shot, has been teasing the Canucks organization each season, especially come play-off time.
In the past three play-offs he has had opening games in most series where he is All World and then seems to disappear or plays like some rookie that’s just finding his way. In those one-off games, he has used that big frame of his leading the Canucks in hits, and I can recall a game where he registered eight of those big time body checks.
If not for his back injury in January of 2011, he would have eclipsed his career high in points, hits, blocked shots and any of the other positive categories that define NHL D-men these days. He has played the point on the power play pretty well from the time he joined the Canucks, and as I mentioned in previous articles, if he continues on this progressive climb, should fill the gap for the departed Christian Ehrhoff’s point totals.
I have been a constant rider of Edler, whipping this player on a regular basis but not because I don’t like him. I just get so frustrated at all the potential this guy has when he refuses to display it, except in fleeting glimpses. I’ve seen more eclipses of the moon than great nights from Edler.
The stick checking that he has used for what seems eternity – drives me crazy, when I player of that size could just lean on the opposition and he would stop them in their tracks. O.K. maybe not Dustin Byfuglien after the summer, but you get my point.
I feel that Edler has all the tools to evolve into the Norris Trophy candidate that the Canucks have never had. All he has to do is realize who and what he is and apply that on a consistent basis. I don’t think he knows how good he can be.
Canucks - Alex Edler going around Hawks - Tomas Kopecky
Who knows, maybe it’s not in his temperament to play that physical style that he does periodically. If I could clone a defenseman for the Canucks, I would take Kevin Bieksa’s will to win, feistiness attitude, and drop it into Edler’s body. Then we would have a player!
If Sami Salo could ever play a full season, wishful thinking on my part, and play along-side Edler, I feel you would see the best of this star in hiding – shine. Sami is the steady veteran that could bring out that quite, shy, unassuming personality and make a believer of Alex.
Heading into this season I fully expect to see those two paired up and play in the three/four position on defense. It wouldn’t surprise me in the least either if they played together on the point, since Salo shoots right and Edler left. Can you image the howitzer’s that would come from the point from those two?
Edler’s skating ability also allows him to jump up into the rush while Steady Sami takes care of the counter-attack.
So here’s my bold prediction for this season, which depends on Edler remaining healthy. Alex will break the 50 point mark which will be tops on defense, with close to 15 goals; he will lead all the D-men in hits and in blocked-shots and will be amongst the top 15 to 20 D-men in the NHL.
Now if only I can convince the real Alex Edler to step forward and take the lead.
Footnotes: It appears that the Canucks will have some tough decisions in whom to play on the fourth line. Maybe Steve Pinnizzotto could play the role of Raffi Torres but Mike Duco seems to be the better scorer. At least in the AHL he was.
If Marco Sturm can stay healthy, he will be the fill in for Mason Raymond and should hit the 20 goal mark once again. Pretty good pick-up for $2.25 million. Kudos to GM Mike Gillis.
Credits – AP, Getty Images, Google Images and Yahoo Sports!
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