Joel Edmundson was living on borrowed time in Montreal. At the heart of rumors at the trade deadline, Edmundson had not changed his address, having just returned from another back injury.
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Just over three months later, Kent Hughes finally found a dance partner for Edmundson. The Canadiens traded him to the Washington Capitals for a pick of 3e tour (which previously belonged to the Minnesota Wild) in 2024 and a pick of 7e round in 2024.
The CH agreed to help the Capitals financially by keeping 50% of the last year of the veteran defender’s contract. The Manitoban will pocket 3.5 million in 2023-2024. There will therefore be a footprint of 1.75 million on the Habs’ payroll.
“Joel did not ask for a trade, he loved Montreal, said Hughes during a videoconference. He has already mentioned that it gives him stress the possibility of living a transaction. Last year, I told him he didn’t need to worry, but that he would be traded before his contract ended.
A good veteran
The 30-year-old Edmundson had 13 points (2 goals, 11 assists) in 61 games last year. He had maintained a poor record of -29. The impact of the left-handed defender, however, could not be read on a score sheet. He was a positive influence within the dressing room, serving as a big brother to several young full-backs.
Along with David Savard and Mike Matheson, Edmundson was one of the few defenders with a lot of skill on the Montreal blue line.
“Yeah, Joel had a big presence in the locker room,” Hughes said. He was a leader for us. I told him that I hope he will leave a part of him in the locker 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 in blocked shots with 149 and fourth in hits with 112.
In 2019, he won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues before leaving the following season for Raleigh, North Carolina.
A look into the future
Edmundson’s departure comes as no surprise.
The CH will count on several left-handed defenders, with Matheson, Kaiden Guhle, Arber Xhekaj and Jordan Harris among those who will have a chair in 2023-2024.
In a press conference, Hughes reiterated his desire to trust the young players of the team.