[BLUETIGER]

old article about how the Canucks quietly stole Edler from the Wings

There were rumblings on the draft floor that Detroit general manager Ken Holland was looking to trade up from 97th, but Nonis had no way to plan for that. So he quietly worked potential deals for a third-round pick before the Wings.

Fifteen minutes before the Dallas Stars were to choose 91st, former general manager Doug Armstrong agreed to give Nonis his third-round selection in exchange for the Canucks' third-rounder in 2005, which was to be a stronger draft class.

"As soon as the Canucks got that pick," Andersson says, "I told everyone at our table I'd eat everything on it if Vancouver didn't take Edler. We drafted Johan Franzen, so we still got a good prospect with our pick. But I still think about that phone call I made. The fun part in all this is seeing how well Alex is playing."

[...]

Gradin, whose old Canuck No. 23 is now worn by Edler, says: "I don't think he realizes how good he can be. There is no limitation. For sure, there haven't been any Cinderella stories like this guy. I think it's quite amazing."

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/n...3a2ca86&k=7839