The Washington Capitals expanded their defensive corps through trades on opening day of NHL Free Agency. Left-handed defender Joel Edmundson comes from Montreal in exchange for a 2024 third-round draft pick and a 2024 seventh-round draft pick.
The Canadiens keep 50 percent of Edmundson’s $3.5 million salary.
NEWS | The Washington Capitals signed defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick (originally acquired from Minnesota) and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft. Montreal retains 50 percent of Edmundson’s contract.#ALLCAPS
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) July 1, 2023
With the acquisition of Edmundson, the Caps now have six fullbacks signed on their NHL roster, with Martin Fehervary still awaiting a new contract. Edmundson plays on the left, which could indicate Alex Alexeyev will be used as the team’s seventh defender.
Edmundson has played in Montreal for the past three seasons after beginning his career with the St. Louis Blues. In recent years, he has been hampered by recurring back problems that kept him out of the squad for long periods of time. He has only played 85 games over the past two seasons combined.
He was a mean physical appearance to the Habs when he played, but beyond that his game is little.
Joel Edmundson, transferred to WSH, is a physical defender. #AllCaps pic.twitter.com/dzLwzDSFtC
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 1, 2023
Statistically, Edmundson was one of the worst players on a very bad Canadiens team last season. When he was on the ice in five-a-side, they only saw 41.7 percent of shot attempts, 40.6 percent of expected goals, 39.7 percent of scoring chances, and 41.9 percent of dangerous chances. They were also below them by 71 to 36 points.
The 30-year-old blueliner is under contract for the 2023-24 season. He has a modified no-trade clause that allows him to submit a 10-team no-trade list.
Here is the Capitals press release on the trade:
Capitals acquire Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens
The Washington Capitals have acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens for a third-round pick (originally acquired from Minnesota) and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, senior vice president and general manager Brian MacLellan announced today. Montreal retains 50% of Edmundson’s contract.
Edmundson, 30, had 13 points (2g, 11a) in 61 games with the Canadiens during the 2022-23 season. A Manitoba native, Brandon ranked second among Montreal defenders in hits (112) and shots blocked (149) and fourth in ice time per game (19:34) last season. Edmundson also averaged 3:19 minutes of shorthanded ice time per game, ranking second in the NHL among defensemen.
The six-foot-1, 220-pound defenseman has 104 points (28g, 76a) in 477 career games for Montreal, the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues. Originally drafted by St. Louis in the second round (46th overall) in the 2011 NHL Draft, Edmundson was a member of the Blues’ 2019 Stanley Cup championship team and appeared in 22 of the team’s 26 playoff contests.
Screenshot via Montreal Canadiens