The 6-foot-5, 221-pound blueliner has a lot to offer the Capitals.
ARLINGTON, V.A. -- The Washington Capitals kicked off free agency on Saturday with a trade, acquiring defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens for picks. And for general manager Brian MacLellan, it was a key move to make.
Washington had looked for players like Edmundson ahead of the start of free agency, but after looking at its options, decided that the 6-foot-5, 221-pound defenseman was the best fit for Spencer Carbery's new blue line.
"It's an element we wanted to add to our lineup... that type of player: physical, net-front presence, good leader, has some good size," MacLellan said.
Edmundson has spent the last few seasons with the Canadiens and is mainly known as a shutdown defenseman who loves to lay the body and battles hard while also fearlessly blocking shots and getting opponents out of the crease. He also makes a good first pass and can join in the rush, and his strength, power and versatility make him a major asset to any lineup.
While the 30-year-old had some back issues last year, MacLellan said the team touched base with Montreal to find out what was going on in that sense and got a "great comfort level of where he was at," and the salary retention was an added bonus as the Capitals stay focused on the rest of the summer.
Washington's blue line is stacked right now, with Edmundson now joining Martin Fehervary, who is working out his extension in D.C., Rasmus Sandin and Alex Alexeyev on the left side.
However, that's a plus for MacLellan, as well as the fact that Edmundson can fit anywhere, whether it be in a top-4 role or as a depth option. The Capitals needed another defenseman after Matt Irwin's departure, as MacLellan stated that he'd like to have more than just the main six guys on defense.
"I mean, there's options, I guess. He's been a top-four guy at one time; he's been a bottom-pair guy too. I think we'll come in and see how the coaches, how they want to use matchups, who's playing together," MacLellan said of Edmundson's role. "I think he'll get a shot to play with different guys and see how it works out and see who has chemistry and then we'll kind of good for there."