The 2025-26 season was Joel Edmundson's second with the LA Kings, and he played a very impactful role for the Kings. As a veteran defenseman, the Kings would often pair Edmundson with Brandt Clarke, one of the younger defensemen on the Kings' roster. Joel Edmundson would not only elevate his defensive partner, but he would also put up a career-high 23 points with the Kings this season. 

Coming into the 2025-26 season, Joel Edmundson's role with the Kings was to be a strong defensive defenseman, allowing other defensemen to either play off of him or play more of an offensive role. Edmundson would be on the top penalty kill alongside Mikey Anderson, who also plays more of a defensive style game. 

While Edmundson's game focuses more on defence, he also set a career high with 23 points and helped the Kings rank among the NHL's better defensive teams. While Edmundson was a strong, defensive-minded player for the Kings, it also allowed other defensemen who played alongside him, such as Brandt Clarke, to have career-best seasons. 

Joel Edmundson allows the younger Kings defensemen to be more offensively minded while giving them the comfort of being the defensive defensemen. Overall, Edmundson's second season with the Kings was a success not only for him as a player but also for what he allows other defensemen to do with him on the ice, something the Kings can value as their younger players continue to develop. 

Looking forward to next season, the new hire of Peter Laviolette creates a similar scenario for Edmundson, as Laviolette's defensive system could positively influence Edmundson's style of play. 

Overall, Joel Edmundson's role with the Kings remains important not only for the team but also for the development of the younger players on the Kings roster, and the Kings recognize that Edmundson's defensive abilities help the team on and off the ice.