Photo Credit: NHL.com
A long-time member of the Vancouver Canucks blue line, Alex Edler is moving on to the LA Kings on a one-year contract.
The opening day of free agency is turning into a pretty noteworthy one for the LA Kings.
After signing center Phillip Danault to a six-year, $33-million contract ($5.5 M cap hit), the Kings have now reportedly reached an agreement on a one-year, $3.5-million contract with defenseman Alex Edler.
The deal was initially reported as a two-year contract before being corrected.
Alex Edler in LA, one year deal, $3.5M
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) July 28, 2021
Alex Edler, signed 2x$3.5M by LA, has slowed down but put up very good two-way results in tough top four minutes for the Canucks last season. Skating decline does lead him to take a lot of penalties. #GoKingsGo pic.twitter.com/esWiHwwgRP
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 28, 2021
The 35-year-old Edler parted ways with the Vancouver Canucks after this past season. He was drafted by Vancouver in the third round of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft and played his first 15 NHL seasons with the team.
Edler’s offensive production fell off significantly this past season, as he recorded just eight points — all assists — while averaging 20:54 of time on ice in 52 games. He scored at least 33 points in each of the prior three seasons.
Edler has 409 points (99-310=409) in 925 career regular-season games. He has a chance to reach a couple of noteworthy career milestones this upcoming season in 1,000 games played and 100 goals. He also joins L.A.’s increasingly large contingent of Swedish players.