Hours ahead of their game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Washington Capitals are expected to continue exploring selling off pieces of their roster before Friday’s trade deadline. Veteran defenseman Joel Edmundson could be the next player to go.
TSN’s Darren Dreger kicked off his Thursday morning with a rumor of a “number of clubs” circling Edmundson for a potential deal. Dreger explicitly named three clubs from the Atlantic Division showing interest: the Boston Bruins, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Tampa Bay Lightning
Let’s keep an eye on Washington and veteran Joel Edmundson. The big left shot Dman has a number of clubs circling. Toronto, Tampa Bay and Boston to name a few. As of late last night, the Bruins seemed to have the inside track. See how the morning unfolds.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) March 7, 2024
All three of the listed teams have a good handle on what Edmundson will provide fter he spent three years in their division with the Montreal Canadiens. The Capitals acquired Edmundson from the Habs this past offseason for a third-round draft pick and a seventh-round draft pick in the upcoming 2024 draft.
After missing the first portion of the season due to fracturing his hand during Training Camp, the rugged rearguard has gotten into 44 games for the Capitals and recorded six points (1g, 5a). Edmundson has a ton of valuable postseason experience, playing 22 playoff games with the St. Louis Blues during their successful run to the Cup in 2019 and then another 22 playoff games with the Montreal Canadiens in 2021 when they made it to the Cup Final.
Edmundson is skating 16:26 of ice time per game this season with 1:31 of that coming on the penalty kill. He has primarily played on the Capitals’ third defense pairing.
The Habs ate half of Edmundson’s $3.5 million salary in the initial trade and the Capitals could retain even more of that in any further move which could be an attractive option for cash-strapped teams. His contract does hold a modified no-trade clause where he can submit 10 teams he can block a trade to.
Update: Joel Edmundson has been traded to the Toronto Maple Leafs for two draft picks.
