The Toronto Maple Leafs have traded for Joel Edmundson of the Washington Capitals sending two draft picks in exchange.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have made their first significant move of the trade deadline week. They acquired defenseman Joel Edmundson from the Washington Capitals in an effort to bolster their blue line. The confirmation included transaction details, showing that Edmundson will receive the New York Islanders’ third-round pick in the 2024 Draft and the Chicago Blackhawks’ fifth-round pick in the 2025 Draft.

A major part of this agreement is that the Capitals retain 50% of Joel Edmundson’s contract, making him a low-cost addition to the Maple Leafs’ blue line. Edmundson, who is known for his physicality and experience as a depth defenseman, has a big frame, a tenacious drive to compete, and a reputation for playing in a rugged style. Edmundson can play both sides, which is a significant advantage.

It may not have been everything the Maple Leafs did before Friday, but with so many blue-line injuries, they needed something. Some speculated if David Savard was on the Leafs’ radar, but he might have been too expensive. The next 24 hours will determine whether Toronto is done.

Is Edmundson the Right Fit for Toronto?

According to Sportsnet’s Eric Engels, the Leafs’ administration prohibited scouts from mentioning Joel Edmundson’s name a few years ago owing to a perceived incompatibility with the team’s style. However, times have changed, and the Leafs have made a strategic decision to include Edmundson on their roster. It’s no longer Dubas’ Maple Leafs. GM Brad Treliving prefers toughness and a certain amount of physicality. Engels quoted an executive who praised Edmundson’s crosscheck, saying it was valuable enough to earn a draft pick by itself.
Edmundson joined the Capitals from the Montreal Canadiens. He has one year left on his $3.5 million contract. In exchange, the Canadiens acquired a 2024 third-round pick from the Minnesota Wild and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Washington Capitals. The Canadiens also kept 50% of Edmundson’s salary in this transaction, demonstrating a sequence of strategic actions during the offseason trading period. The trade today isn’t much different. Toronto paid slightly more.