Edler turned professional in North America with the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, in 2006–07, seeing some time in the NHL over the course of the season.

Having played in games for the Canucks in 2006–07, he was the longest tenured player on the team's lineup following the retirement of Daniel and Henrik Sedin, until the Kings acquired him in 2021.

Edler is regarded as one of the best Canucks defencemen of all time, holding the franchise records for most goals and points scored by a defenceman.

Edler played at the under-17 level with his hometown district team of Jämtland in 2001 and 2002, competing at TV-pucken, a national Swedish tournament.

[2] He was brought to the attention of the Vancouver Canucks by the team's head scout in Sweden, Thomas Gradin, who saw Edler playing with Jämtlands HF.

[2] Although Gradin would refer to the team's level of play as little more than "beer-league-calibre",[2] he was impressed with Edler and encouraged Canucks management to draft him.

The deal was made with the Stars in lieu of speculation that the Detroit Red Wings had a high interest in Edler and wanted to draft him in the third round as well.

[2][4] Detroit had discovered Edler in Sweden through their European scout Håkan Andersson, who was responsible for such previous Red Wings late-round picks as Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk.

[2][5] At the time of his draft, Canucks general manager Dave Nonis described Edler as a "smooth skater and a big guy".

"[6] After being selected by the Canucks, Gradin brokered a move for Edler to play with Modo Hockey's junior club of the J20 SuperElit.

[9] After reporting to training camp with the Canucks' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Manitoba Moose, in September 2005,[10] he was assigned to junior with the Rockets.

[14] He scored his first NHL goal on 30 November, a slap shot that beat Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jean-Sébastien Giguère in a 2–1 loss.

In his first few seasons in the NHL, Edler was often paired with veteran blueliner and countryman Mattias Öhlund, who he considered a mentor for him.

Edler was injured in the sixth and deciding game of the series after opposing forward Dustin Byfuglien stepped on his right ankle after hitting him along the boards.

Canucks general manager Mike Gillis told reporters that Edler had been experiencing tightness in his back at several times earlier in the season, but the hit from Benn was the breaking point.

[28] Edler underwent microdiscectomy surgery to relieve pressure on a herniated disk and was sidelined for 2+1⁄2 months,[29] returning for the second-last game of the regular season.

[31] As the Canucks won the Presidents' Trophy for the first time in franchise history, the team entered the 2011 playoffs with the first seed in the West.

Eliminating the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators and San Jose Sharks, the Canucks advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 17 years.

He was selected to the competition alongside Canucks teammates Daniel and Henrik Sedin, as well as Cody Hodgson, who was named to the rookie squad.

[44] On 16 January 2020, Edler overtook the record for most assists by a Canucks defenceman, previously held by Dennis Kearns.

On 28 July 2021, Edler left the Canucks, having spent the entirety of his 15-year career with Vancouver, to sign as a free agent on a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Kings.

[49][50] On 17 September 2024, the Canucks announced that Edler would sign a one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the franchise, with the ceremony taking place on 11 October during their second regular season game against the Philadelphia Flyers.

[54] Two years later, Edler debuted with Sweden's men's team at the 2008 IIHF World Championships in Halifax and Quebec City.

At the Canucks' 2008 SuperSkills event, he beat the team's reigning hardest shooter, Sami Salo, with a 99.3 mile-per-hour shot and has gone on to win the competition in 2009 and 2010, as well.

[64][65] Looking back on his transition to North American hockey with the Kelowna Rockets, Edler noted the most difficult adjustment was the physical aspect of the game, which was more pronounced than in Sweden.

[6] Edler has a permanent home in Vancouver, where he met his wife Aman and where his daughters Emme and River were born.