Joel Edmundson was living on borrowed time in Montreal. Rumor has it Edmundson hadn’t changed his address at the close, having just returned from another back injury.
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A little over three months later, Kent Hughes finally found a dance partner for Edmundson. The Canadiens traded him to the Washington Capitals in 2024 for a third-round pick (previously owned by the Minnesota Wild) and in 2024 for a seventh-round pick.
The CH agreed to help the Capitals financially by keeping 50% of the veteran defender’s last year of contract. Manitoban will rake in 3.5 million in 2023-2024. There will therefore be a 1.75 million footprint on the Habs’ payroll.
“Joel didn’t ask for a trade, he loved Montreal,” Hughes said during a video conference call. He has already mentioned that it gives him the opportunity to live a transaction. Last year I told him not to worry but that he would be substituted before his contract expired.
A good veteran
Edmundson, 30, had 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 61 games last year. He had held a bad record of -29. However, the influence of the left-back could not be read on a game report sheet. He exerted a positive influence in the dressing room and acted as the big brother of several young full-backs.
Along with David Savard and Mike Matheson, Edmundson was one of the few defenders with much skill on the Montreal blue line.
“Yes, Joel had a huge presence in the dressing room,” Hughes said. He was a leader for us. I told him that I hope he leaves a part of him in the dressing room and that the young people will keep a part of him in the future.
Despite missing 21 games last year, Edmundson finished second on the team with 149 blocks and fourth with 112 hits.
In 2019, he won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues before moving to Raleigh, North Carolina the following season.
A look into the future
Edmundson’s departure comes as no surprise.
The CH will count on several left-handed defenders, including Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj and Jordan Harris, who will chair in 2023-2024.
In a press conference, Hughes reiterated his desire to trust the team’s young players.