Canucks president Linden on trading Edler: 'It's not in our consideration'

The Vancouver Canucks aren't considering trading defenseman Alex Edler, even though teams are reportedly interested in his services, said president Trevor Linden on Tuesday. 

While Edler, 28, struggled in 2013-14, the Canucks are looking to the Swede to have a bounce-back season. 

Linden was in Ottawa on Tuesday to address the Canadian Men's Health Foundation, and he spoke about Edler's future, which looks like it will remain in Vancouver:

He’s got all the tools to be a dominant No. 1 defenseman. 

He’d be the first to admit he didn’t have a good year, and part of our job is to recapture the Alex Edler that we all know he can be. He has the skill-set that every team wants and we just have to get him back where he should be.

There isn’t a team in the league that wouldn’t have its hand up for the opportunity to have an Alex Edler. It’s not in our consideration. We want to work with Alex; we have to get his game back, and I know he’s committed to doing that.

Edler had seven goals and 15 assists in 63 games this past season, while averaging 23:17 in ice time. He finished a league-worst -39, as flawed as the plus-minus stat may be. While he certainly struggled, Edler's advanced statistics don't suggest he's suddenly no longer a reliable defenseman. 

Edler, like many of his Vancouver teammates, struggled in a year full of change:

I’m at my best when I don’t think too much and just react out there and trust my instincts. That’s something I have to get back to next year. There were a lot of changes this year and a lot of new things to get used to. I didn’t have the year that I should have had, but I know I’m a good player. I’m going to have to come back next year and do a better job at being better every game and being more consistent.

Edler's under contract through 2018-19 at a cap hit of $5 million, and has a no-trade clause.