In the first five picks of the draft teams are looking for potential superstars they can build their team around.

Edler is an above average defenseman on an above average team with decent defense and goaltending. He's not a superstar defenseman you can build your team around though. If he was you wouldn't think about trading him.

If a team was close to winning the cup and an Edler type player was the missing piece you could probably get a decent haul for him, but probably only a little better than what Calgary got for Bouwmeister. None of these teams fit that bill though, and it's summer not the trade deadline so...

The only way you get a top five draft pick for Edler is if you package a lot of draft picks along with him. This year's first and next year's first and maybe some 2nd and 3rd round picks. I don't think Vancouver has that many good prospects but if they give up one of them you can lower the draft picks.

Edler's cap his is nice, so his salary won't make it hard for someone to take him. Nobody will care about the salary of whoever gets picked though. If he turns out to be a superstar they will be happy to pay him superstar money. If he doesn't they won't.

I think that highlight video (after its 15-second celebrator introduction) had the same play about 6 times. I can't really offer an opinion on it, because
1) I can't see the puck
2)I'm not even sure what number he is, because it seems like there's 2 players setting each other up throughout it
3) There's really only about 8 or so unique plays

Not a shot at Ian, just a really poorly made video. In Mother Russia, video tapes you.

I think he has a no trade on his new deal so he will have to get moved by July 1 if im not mistaken. Similar situation to the Jeff Carter trade.
- allen_gamble

Correct. Also the reason why Gillis would have to get blown away in a trade to even consider moving him. Doesn't want to be seen as telling a player he won't move him in order to get him to sign for less, then just turning around and trading him anyways.

No, it's a reality. There is a very viable league back in Russia where guys can play in front of their families and friend and often make more money than they would in the NHL. That why so few Russian players are even in the NHL these days.

Canucks had a 3rd liner named Chubarov a while ago. He would have been a 2-3m dollar guy. Now he's making $5m in Russia (or was last time I heard about him).
- micah555

bang on...welcome to the party Micah.

Edler have a NTC..kicks in soon??

So Radulov and his I believe 13 million is crying at home with his friends.

Just ask the Jets how fun the Russian factor is to deal with.

They over paid their goalie by about 1-2 million and now they have an RFA that they used the number 8 pick on that will be playing it soon.

add it up and it's two guys they will likely be paying 3-4 million too much for.
- IanEsplen

if the russian factor is so awful, and this is such a massive risk.........then why are u willing to move such an "elite" dman to draft this guy

Ian Esplen: What's the deal for Nichushkin?
What's the deal?
- IanEsplen

Luongo straight up for Nichushkin

if the russian factor is so awful, and this is such a massive risk.........then why are u willing to move such an "elite" dman to draft this guy
- sensarmy_11

Look back, I said I wasn't

Correct. Also the reason why Gillis would have to get blown away in a trade to even consider moving him. Doesn't want to be seen as telling a player he won't move him in order to get him to sign for less, then just turning around and trading him anyways.
- KB3Point0

At the end of the day they need to improve, you need to give something up to get something decent in return. The Canucks are not in a position to be trading prospects away. The roster needs a shake up and cap relief, aside from the Booth, Ballard, Luongo mess.

At the end of the day they need to improve, you need to give something up to get something decent in return. The Canucks are not in a position to be trading prospects away. The roster needs a shake up and cap relief, aside from the Booth, Ballard, Luongo mess.
- VanHockeyGuy

I don't know, all the experts on here tell me Vancouver has no prospects so what's the harm in trading them?

They're all going to be busts right?

Look back, I said I wasn't
- IanEsplen

Well, it seems sort of silly to bring up a trade proposal that nobody thinks comes close to fair value, defend it, when it isn’t something you would agree to in the first place. What’s the point?

Does MG have the stones to make a big splash at this years draft like Burke did in 1999? Or even move in to the top 5?

Is 5 million really all that large though? There are a lot of D making more money than that and some are not in Edler's league.
- IanEsplen

I really don't think it's his contract that is the big stumbling block here...Edler is probably worth $5M per (6 yrs is a bit long but thats besides the point). The big issue is that even if Nich turns out to be a Rick Nash/J. Staal type player instead of a Malkin/Ovi type player i think that at his age and cap hit (even at $3M - although bonus cushion largely negates that) he is more valuable than Edler.

That may be a large assumption that he reach that level but his ceiling is extremely high - Edler you know what you get, a solid player but not one you can build a team around. If I'm a team picking in the top 5, i'm taking the chance that i get an elite fwd...not to mention that most of the teams picking in the top 5 aren't cup contenders and don't need to be immediately better they need to build for a few years to create a contender.

I really don't think it's his contract that is the big stumbling block here...Edler is probably worth $5M per (6 yrs is a bit long but thats besides the point). The big issue is that even if Nich turns out to be a Rick Nash/J. Staal type player instead of a Malkin/Ovi type player i think that at his age and cap hit (even at $3M - although bonus cushion largely negates that) he is more valuable than Edler.

That may be a large assumption that he reach that level but his ceiling is extremely high - Edler you know what you get, a solid player but not one you can build a team around. If I'm a team picking in the top 5, i'm taking the chance that i get an elite fwd...not to mention that most of the teams picking in the top 5 aren't cup contenders and don't need to be immediately better they need to build for a few years to create a contender.
- Joel_Eh

Exactly, once again it's market value. You just need to put the right pieces together.

Edler by himself isn't gonna get you a top 5 pick. There's a reason why you guys are so eager to get rid of him and everyone knows it. Gillis has put you guys in a very bad position cap wise and nobody is just gonna help you out of it. Don't take this as a Edler bashing cause its not. He's a very good dman and I would love him on the Oilers. The top 5 is so good this year its gonna take a real big chip to trade up there. I would say Edler/ Kesler + 2013 1st for a Top 5 pick + 3rd rounder. The Oilers are trying desperately to move up as well. For us to move up I think it will take 7th overall + Anaheim's 2nd 2013 + a B level prospect such as Martin Gernat. I personally hope we pick right where we are. I don't want to give up any assets to move up because there will stiil be very good prospects at #7.

Edler by himself isn't gonna get you a top 5 pick. There's a reason why you guys are so eager to get rid of him and everyone knows it. Gillis has put you guys in a very bad position cap wise and nobody is just gonna help you out of it. Don't take this as a Edler bashing cause its not. He's a very good dman and I would love him on the Oilers. The top 5 is so good this year its gonna take a real big chip to trade up there. I would say Edler/ Kesler + 2013 1st for a Top 5 pick + 3rd rounder. The Oilers are trying desperately to move up as well. For us to move up I think it will take 7th overall + Anaheim's 2nd 2013 + a B level prospect such as Martin Gernat. I personally hope we pick right where we are. I don't want to give up any assets to move up because there will stiil be very good prospects at #7.
- Ihatebrianburke

7th overall, a 2nd and a no name prospect will do it, but Edler won't?

Why do you all think you're experts?

I don't think Yzermann is going to trade the no 3 pick and Aulie for Edler. If he can't get more then that, he will use the pick.

The problem with this trade :
While the trade is fair or pretty close to equal value wise

Only Carolina Is in win now mode, and EDM would be the only other team who may possibly benefit more from Edler

7th overall, a 2nd and a no name prospect will do it, but Edler won't?

Why do you all think you're experts?
- Scooby_Doo

While I think you’re probably right, that trade won’t cut it, there is a big difference between jumping two spots, and trading Edler to get into the top 5.

I don't think Yzermann is going to trade the no 3 pick and Aulie for Edler. If he can't get more then that, he will use the pick.
- JC#10

There is no way he'd even consider it.

At the end of the day they need to improve, you need to give something up to get something decent in return. The Canucks are not in a position to be trading prospects away. The roster needs a shake up and cap relief, aside from the Booth, Ballard, Luongo mess.
- VanHockeyGuy

I agree, but the Canucks are also not actively shopping Edler. They are not going to trade him unless they are blown away with the offer. Given the number of teams who could use a player like Edler, there would be a bidding war if they were to trade him and the Canucks should do very well in the deal.

I really don't think it's his contract that is the big stumbling block here...Edler is probably worth $5M per (6 yrs is a bit long but thats besides the point). The big issue is that even if Nich turns out to be a Rick Nash/J. Staal type player instead of a Malkin/Ovi type player i think that at his age and cap hit (even at $3M - although bonus cushion largely negates that) he is more valuable than Edler.

That may be a large assumption that he reach that level but his ceiling is extremely high - Edler you know what you get, a solid player but not one you can build a team around. If I'm a team picking in the top 5, i'm taking the chance that i get an elite fwd...not to mention that most of the teams picking in the top 5 aren't cup contenders and don't need to be immediately better they need to build for a few years to create a contender.
- Joel_Eh

Since when did signing good young players to really good cap hits ($5M is well below market value for Edler) for 6 years become too long? Isn't it a big benefit to have him locked up and a part of your team for 6 years rather than becoming a UFA and potentially losing him for nothing???

Edler by himself isn't gonna get you a top 5 pick. There's a reason why you guys are so eager to get rid of him and everyone knows it. Gillis has put you guys in a very bad position cap wise and nobody is just gonna help you out of it. Don't take this as a Edler bashing cause its not. He's a very good dman and I would love him on the Oilers. The top 5 is so good this year its gonna take a real big chip to trade up there. I would say Edler/ Kesler + 2013 1st for a Top 5 pick + 3rd rounder. The Oilers are trying desperately to move up as well. For us to move up I think it will take 7th overall + Anaheim's 2nd 2013 + a B level prospect such as Martin Gernat. I personally hope we pick right where we are. I don't want to give up any assets to move up because there will stiil be very good prospects at #7.
- Ihatebrianburke

The Canucks are not "so eager to get rid of him." The media and fans are discussing it because he represents the potential for the biggest return and his no trade doesn't kick in until July 1. It's also dealing from a position of strength as the addition of Garrison means they can afford to trade Edler if they get the right offer.

this has the feels of a sabres blog. player X is awesome, great contract, worth a ton...but let's offer him up then in a bunch of trade proposals.