All The Kings Men – Thomas Drance of The Athletic profiles Alex Edler

Thomas Drance of The Athletic (Vancouver) joins host All The Kings Men host Jesse Cohen to talk about the veteran defenseman and what his signing will mean for the Kings.

The addition of the veteran left-handed Edler worked out to be a one-year, $3.5 million-dollar deal. The 35-year-old defenseman, who has spent all 15 years of his career with a division foe, the Vancouver Canucks, leaves the organization leaves with plenty left in the tank according Drance, and should be a solid add for the Kings, both in terms of his intelligence on the ice and his skillset.

Drance on the evolution of Edler’s career
As Edler matured in the league, he became a hard-nosed, mistake free defensive defender. He’s now a nightmare to go up against in front of the net and has become the smartest player on the ice.

Drance on what Edler brings to the Kings
In both ends of the rink, his game still plays. His shot is still heavy and lethal, his passing plays and is as bright as they come. In the defensive end, he’s still physical and exacts a price to any forward that dines to go to the front of his net. He’s still so hard. His two-way intelligence is something the [Vancouver Canucks] will likely severely miss.

Drance on the legacy Edler leaves in Vancouver
Edler is without a doubt the greatest in the defenseman in franchise history. He will have a banner in Rogers Arena when he decides to hang up the skates.

Drance on if the Kings got better by signing Edler
They certainly got smarter. There is a two-way intelligence that Edler will bring that is only merged by Drew Doughty on the roster, and you really do need that. Cal Petersen and Jonathan Quick will be happy to have him. He blocks a ton of shots and tries to play goalie a lot, so much so that it’s become a meme in Vancouver. But I do think the Kings got better with a player and a person like Edler joining LA, no question. At $3.5M, I think he’s a decent bet to live up to that contact and even exceed it.

Edler himself recorded an episode of All The Kings Men earlier today with Jesse Cohen and Zach Dooley. Highlights from the newest Kings defenseman’s first interview with the organization will be posted here on LA Kings Insider, as well as across Kings content channels.