Canucks and pending UFA Edler talking
TSN Radio Vancouver: Vancouver Canucks GM Jim Benning on pending UFA defenseman Alexander Edler: “We’re in dialogue with (Edler). We’re talking about what his intentions are and what he wants to do going forward. I think he’s made it clear to us that he wants to stay in Vancouver…so we’re going to continue to talk to them and see if we can figure something out.”
TSN Radio Vancouver: Benning continued on Edler: “He’s our best defenseman. He’s a leader in our room. He’s a mentor to Petey. He’s an important guy for the development of our younger players. If we can get something figured out, I’d like to do it.”
Ed Willes of the Vancouver Province: Canucks GM Benning met with Edler’s agent Mark Stowe on Thursday. Benning said the talks were “productive.”
Canucks plan on holding onto draft picks
Mike Halford: Canucks GM Benning said that they won’t be trading any of their 2019 draft picks.
Three areas the Canucks need to address
Patrick Johnston of the Vancouver Province: Defenseman Alex Edler has been playing excellent and would draw plenty of trade interest. If the Canucks are looking towards the future, they could move him for draft picks or a prospect.
The Canucks need to find a way to get Adam Gaudette more ice time next year. Brandon Sutter and Jay Beagle don’t have a lot of offensive upside and are blocking Gaudette. The Canucks should explore moving one of Sutter or Beagle at the deadline this year and could retain salary. They could also wait until the offseason.
The Canucks need to improve their scoring from the wing, something that doesn’t have to happen before the deadline.
Defensive targets for the Canucks
Ryan Biech of the Athletic: Looking at a couple young defensive prospects that the Canucks target in a trade: Dante Fabbro (Nashville), Roland McKeown (Carolina), Julius Honka (Dallas), and Lawrence Pilut (Buffalo).