The Vancouver Canucks have locked up defenseman Alex Edler for 4 more years.
The deal is reportedly worth $13m over 4 years, a $3.25m cap hit. At first glace the number seems high, especially considering the Kevin Bieksa contract and his struggles since signing the deal. But that's just the way it is in the "New NHL", players are now payed based on their potential as much as their performance.
Alex Edler would have been a restricted free agent at the end of the season, meaning any team could have swooped in and offered just under $4m (1st and 3rd rd pick compensation range) or maybe more. Not many people would trade Edler for a 1st and 3rd round pick, so the money is right even though it's more than you would comfortably give to a still relatively unproven player. All signs point to Edler as being a very good, maybe even great, defenseman for years to come... of course the same could be said of Bieksa, who is coming off a terrible season and is making his contract look a little worrisome.
That said, this deal is a no-brainer for the Canucks as Edler should easily live up to the money.
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