The Montreal Canadiens took a chance when they traded a fifth-round pick for the negotiating rights of Joel Edmundson, but it has worked out the way they hoped. Today, the Canadiens have signed Edmundson to a four-year contract that will carry a $3.5MM average annual value. Edmunson will also receive a 10-team no-trade clause in the deal, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.
Edmundson, 27, is coming off the best offensive season of his career, scoring 20 points in 68 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. That followed his arrival from the St. Louis Blues as part of the package that landed Justin Faulk, just a few months after Edmundson won the Stanley Cup. While he certainly should not be considered an offensive defenseman, he has logged big minutes in the past and was a big contributor to Carolina’s penalty kill. That defensive acumen was obviously coveted enough by Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin for him to go out and use an asset to acquire Edmundson before he hit the open market, while also handing out a long-term contract.
Montreal of course has star defensemen Shea Weber and Jeff Petry manning the blueline, but the latter is heading into his final year under contract. The team has now shored up the group with another capable defender, though it’s unclear exactly how the playing time will now shake out. Alexander Romanov was expected to challenge for a spot on the NHL roster immediately, but Edmundson’s addition actually gives the Canadiens a glut of left-handed options. Still, having defensive depth was always going to be required for the Canadiens to compete in the Eastern Conference and the team had plenty of cap space to work with this offseason.
For Edmundson, this contract represents the first real long-term stability he has had in his NHL career. He’d previously been playing on short-term deals, including just a one-year $3.1MM contract awarded through arbitration in 2019-20. While this doesn’t represent much of a salary increase on his last two contracts, he does get some financial security and is now locked in through the 2023-24 season.
That’s an oof
People said that about Chiarot too and they were wrong.
That might be their one saving grace I guess. Chiarot got caved in on his last year in Winnipeg, but did improve in Montreal. I dont see how Edmundson will though considering the year hes coming off of where he got destroyed in his own end. But even if he does somehow improve, why even take the risk with a four year deal? You can easily find similar players on one year deals in the coming months, they better hope and pray this isnt a slightly cheaper Alzner contract.
Eddy is atop 4 on most contenders he won a cup with the blues as a top 4, I was hoping my leafs would take a run at him and at 3.5 that’s a really good move by the Habs
I hope it works out; but very few of Marc’s moves have. Finally got a decent backup for Carey. Best since Halak. Habs still not a playoff team
They were right about Chiarot, hopefully they’re right about Edmundson
Any no trade clause for him with that size of a contract seems like he agent certainly earned their 10%
In advanced stats, Edmundson was actually better last year than all of the habs’ defense in takeaways and giveaways and he is a physical presence. There is no way he will become a Karl Alzner contract, I’d like to hear to opinion of a Blues or Canes’ fan on this
Canes fan here… good move for a solid 2nd pairing dman. Think you will like his grit and hes a good penalty killer.
Might be a slight upgrade; but a NTC? Were not talking Bobby Orr here
A lot of guys not named Biddy Odd have NTC.
And I do t think Bobby every had one. But I could be wrong.
Great moves by Bergevin. Got a good player without giving up much in terms or assets or in a UFA contract.
What does he do with Domi?
Blues fan here. I think the habs did good on this one. We liked Joel a lot when he was in St. Louis. Very physical and honestly even though he’s not the best defender in the world he’s definitely a solid top 4. Good for you Montreal.