Edler's loss to injury spells rookie's gain

The loss of one player to injury is another player’s gain – it’s been forever thus in the NHL and, consequently, it’s now Adam Clendening’s time to shine.
Alex Edler’s absence to an undisclosed injury, enabled Clendening, a 22-year-old Niagara Falls, N.Y., native, to play a key role on Vancouver’s first power play unit as the Canucks hosted the Minnesota Wild on Monday. The rookie defenceman only joined the Canucks in a trade from Chicago in late January for minor-leaguer Gustav Forsling.
Clendening spent most of his two-year tenure in the Blackhawks organization toiling for their AHL farm club in Rockford, Ill., but now he finds himself pushing for points with NHL veterans Alex Burrows, Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata.
“I take pride in my ability offensively and to quarterback the power play,” said Clendening. “To get that opportunity, especially with the twins and Burr and Verby, it’s a big responsibility.”
Clendening has displayed a flare for offence with the U.S. under-18 program, Boston University and AHL after the Blackhawks drafted him in the second round (36th overall) in 2011. He was an AHL second and first all-star in his first two pro seasons. Now, he gets a chance to replace Edler and demonstrate how consistent he can be in the NHL.
“It’s a great opportunity for other guys to step up,” he said of Edler’s injury, suffered Saturday in Calgary. “But let’s be serious. Eagle’s gonna be missed. A tough guy to take out of your lineup. He took a lot of minutes. He’s big and plays in every single situation.”
But Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, whose mandate this season is to prepare call-ups and acquisition for life in the NHL while also getting the Canucks back to the playoffs, expressed confidence in putting Clendening in difficult circumstances. Desjardins said the rearguard still has to learn some of the intricacies of the NHL, but the coach likes some of the skills that he has displayed.
“He’s a good passer,” said Desjardins. “He sees the ice real well. I think there are some things in his game that he has to work on if he wants to be an elite power-play defenceman at this level. But I think he has a real good vision in the offensive zone, and he moves the puck well.”
Clendening is feeling more comfortable every day after the first couple of days of learning Vancouver’s system, which is similar to Chicago’s on-ice framework, and making sure all of his gear and belongings arrived.
“(The performance) may not be in the numbers showing up, but I think I’m moving the puck the right way and putting it on the right guy’s tape and making the right decisions with it,” he said.
However, while he is gaining, at least for now, from Edler’s injury, he can also relate to the struggles that many players face as they battle for contracts. Clendening is a former teammate of late NHL defenceman Steve Montador, 35, who was found dead in his Toronto-area home Sunday.
“It’s very sad,” said Clendening. “I played with him in Rockford. I was actually his partner down there for a bit, and we spent a little bit of time together (as Black Aces for Chicago’s Stanley) Cup run there (in 2012-13), so I got to know him pretty well. When I heard the news, I was very heartbroken. I don’t know any details (on his death), so I can’t really comment on that. But he’s somebody that’ll definitely be missed in the hockey world.”
Police do not suspect foul play was involved. Montador suffered concussions during his 571-game NHL career with the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, Buffalo Sabres and Blackhawks. He was also battling depression, although Clendening was unaware of his issues.
“He seemed like a guy that was always in a good attitude and really enjoyed being around the rink and that type of thing,” said Clendening. “He never really gave me that perception of being in trouble mentally.”
So Clendening is aware that although he has gained from an injury loss, he his time in the spotlight could be fleeting.