Wings draft in the third round of 2004... Alex Edler..

[Guest mindfly]

Phew

"Sometimes we go by a list that we put together, but I still remember the year we drafted Johan Franzen (at No. 97)," he said. "The name higher on our list at the time was Alexander Edler. But Vancouver made a trade when they realized we were likely going to take him and since they didn't have a third-round pick. We knew Vancouver was interested in Alex, but we felt pretty safe since they didn't have a third-round pick. But then we heard the announcement that a trade was made and I said to Jim Nill, 'This is it, Vancouver is trading for a pick just before us and they're going to take Alex.' So we waited and Vancouver did it. So Jim and I regrouped and said 'OK, what's the next name?' That was Johan Franzen, so we took him." -Hakan Andersson

I find the draft very interesting, so much strategy and mindgames between the teams', exciting time of year imo....

[HockeyTownHouligan 57]

WOW That is crazy, some things just happen for a reason.

[Original-Six 254]

Edited June 17, 2010 by Original-Six

[Barrie 900]

He's no Mule, but Edler would have been a decent pick if it happened.

Edler Stats

Kinda like how the Wings wanted to draft Pavel Bure but the Canucks took him 2nd overall so we got stuck with this guy named Steve Yzerman with the 3rd pick. Thanks again Vancouver.

You mean the Islanders drafting Pat Lafontaine before we could. We settled for Yzerman 4th overall.

[Z and D for the C 712]

Franzen is a beast, but Edler is 6 years younger so who knows what the future holds for Edler. His third season was better than Franzen's so it's not like he's been a bust. Not saying I would have wanted Edler over Franzen, just playing devil's advocate.

[SweWings 45]

He's no Mule, but Edler would have been a decent pick if it happened.

Edler Stats

You mean the Islanders drafting Pat Lafontaine before we could. We settled for Yzerman 4th overall.

Too bad he was such an average player...

[titanium2 867]

I don't think the Wings need an Edler right now.

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

I don't think the Wings need an Edler right now.

I don't want to make this into Franzen vs Edler thing, just wanted to comment on Edler.

I couldn't disagree more. I think Edler would be a godsend.

He's a big guy at 6-3 and 215 pounds.

He skates well and obviously has a pretty decent offensive game despite being only a 3rd year guy.

He played over 22 minutes a game, 2nd most on the team to Erhoff.

While not their designated shut down defender he does play regularly on the PK and is very good one on one.

With Nick and Rafs getting very old and this likely being Nick's last year. Combined with the fact that after those 2, Kronner is the only really gifted offensive dman we have (who plays physical and is very prone to injury).

You take those things into account and then look at what Edler can be. A top pairing defenseman who plays in all situations, has great all around skills, a blistering point shot and is still very young. What you have is a great, young, Swedish defenseman who can anchor your defense for 10+ years. He'd never replace Nick but if he could have half the career of Nick he'd be something special still.

[stevkrause 1,247]

Franzen is a beast, but Edler is 6 years younger so who knows what the future holds for Edler. His third season was better than Franzen's so it's not like he's been a bust. Not saying I would have wanted Edler over Franzen, just playing devil's advocate.

Agreed 100% - I think Edler would have been a solid pick, but I'm still very glad we have the Mule

[Guest mindfly]

Nah edler is overrated imho, didnt even make the olympic team...

[Guest GordieSid&Ted]

Nah edler is overrated imho, didnt even make the olympic team...

I disagree. He's only 24 years old.

This past season, the only Swedish NHLers with more ice time per game than him were Lidstrom, Ohlund and Kim Johnsson. All veteran players.

The only Swedish defenders with more points were Enstrom and Listrom.

The fact that he didn't make the team probably had more to do with his age and rounding out their lineup. For instance, they took a non NHLer on the roster, Doug Murray who is more of a banger and Johnny Oduya, who nobody in the league would trade Edler for Oduya or even Murray. Edler likely wasn't needed b/c of Ohlund, Lidstrom and the fact that Enstrom was having such a remarkable offensive season.

Edler is the real deal and is a very good all around defender. He finished in the top 25 in scoring for dmen and has never been a minus player in his young career.

I suspect that the next 2 seasons will see him take on a commanding role for Vancouver and without a doubt he'll represent Sweden in the years to come. I personally would love to have him.

[Hockey13Playa 240]

The Mule all day baby, allllllll dayyyyy!