Alex Edler hitting open market for first time in his long career

For the first time in his lengthy NHL career, defenceman Alex Edler is planning to test the free agent market. His agent, Mark Stowe, told reporter Rick Dhaliwal that his client won't be re-signing with the Vancouver Canucks, the only NHL team he's ever played for over his 15 year career.

Edler was drafted by Vancouver in the third round, 91st overall, in 2004. The 35-year-old native of Sweden has played 925 regular season games in the NHL, recording 99 goals and 409 points.

Edler is coming off a contract that paid him an average annual value of $6 million over the last two seasons. Whether it was his decision to walk or whether Vancouver isn't prepared to make him an offer isn't clear. The Canucks are in a cap crunch with some big name restricted free agents that need new contracts over the next couple of seasons. It's highly likely the team would not be able to make Edler a significant offer even if management decided it wanted to.

Edler didn't have a great season last year, putting up no goals and eight assists in 52 games. That said, he can certainly fill a bottom two role for a team that is looking for it. Free agency opens on July 28th.

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