Photo by Vincent Ethier/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
According to The Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli, the Washington Capitals will acquire left-handed defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for the Minnesota Wild’s third- and Washington’s seventh-round picks in 2024. The 30-year-old has one more season at $3.5 million remaining on his contract, which contains a 10-team no-trade clause, but Montreal is retaining 50% of his salary.
Edmundson, who was an alternate captain last season, earned two goals, 13 points, a -29 rating, 42.94% five-on-five Corsi-for percentage, 41.57% five-on-five expected goals-for percentage, and 40.59% five-on-five scoring chances-for percentage in 61 games. He averaged 19:34 per game (fourth among Montreal blueliners), including 3:19 per game on the penalty kill (first).
Graph: JFresh
In 477 career regular-season games with Montreal, the St. Louis Blues, and Carolina Hurricanes, Edmundson has earned 28 goals, 104 points, and a +23 rating.
In 75 career postseason outings, he has earned six goals, 21 points, and a +7 rating. Edmundson won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019 and made the Stanley Cup Final with Montreal in 2021.
Washington adds a more experienced defenseman to their left side with Martin Fehervary, Rasmus Sandin, and Alexander Alexeyev (all 23-years-old) expected to be on their roster this season. The team allowed an average of 3.18 goals-per-game (18th) but were 81.9% efficient on the penalty kill (tied for 11th). Edmundson should help in both areas and should also give a physical boost as he threw 112 hits, tied for 167th in the NHL.
Washington now has $5,563,333 in NHL salary cap space with 10 forwards, six defenseman, and two goaltenders under contract. The team is also looking to upgrade their top-six forward group.
Washington acquired the third-round pick sent to Montreal on February 28 when they dealt right-wing Marcus Johansson to the Minnesota Wild.
By Harrison Brown