Vancouver Canucks Quarter Mark Reviews: Alex Edler

The Vancouver Canucks’ hockey season is about a quarter of the way through and that means it is the perfect time to do player reviews. It has often been said that the twenty game mark is when General Managers and coaches begin looking at the roster for possible moves and improvements. For bloggers, like myself, it is no different. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be working my way through the Canucks roster giving a review for each player. Next up is Alex Edler.

Earlier in the season it became incredibly apparent that Alex Edler, the offensive threat, was here to stay. With 16 points in 20 games, Edler has established himself as one of the top producing D-men in the game. To put that in perspective, Edler has amassed more points than Shea Weber, Duncan Keith, Zdeno Chara and some other big name guys making a lot more money that he is.

Over the past few seasons, and more specifically playoffs, fans have been treated to glimpses of a different Alex Edler. One memory forever etched in my memory is of Edler’s play against Los Angeles in the first round a few seasons back. His physical play combined with his keen offensive instinct made him a threat every time he stepped out onto the ice.

While he has struggled to find consistency to his game over the past few years, it looks as though he may finally be starting to put together a stretch of really solid play.

What’s impressive about the 91st overall draft pick from 2004 is his calmness and composure without the puck. He learned from the best, playing with Sami Salo during his younger days. That composure shouldn’t be underestimated. It is what has made some of the good defensemen in the league great. Alex Edler is shaping up to be a great defenseman.

While the consistency seems to be coming into form, it is still an issue that rears its ugly head from time to time. There are games, and moments within games, where the great Alex Edler disappears. It’s important to remember that he is only 25, a relatively young age for a solid defenseman in this league.

Edler and Salo are quickly establishing themselves as the top dogs on the Vancouver blue line. With the rest of the defense struggling mightily, it has been nice to see Edler go out, play his game and work hard on every shift without making many glaring mistakes. If he can continue to play the way he has been playing, he’ll be in for a nice raise come contract time.

Thanks for reading!

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