Did the Washington Capitals get enough in return at the 2024 NHL trade deadline?

Did the Caps get enough of a return for Joel Edmundson?

One of the more imposing defensemen in hockey heard his name swirling for a while in the rumor mill, and predictably, the Capitals traded him and received a 2024 third-rounder and a 2025 fifth-rounder in return while retaining 50 percent of the contract. Edmundson’s game didn’t stand out, and he wasn’t finishing as many checks this season as we had seen him over the past three years during his stint in Montreal. 

He also wasn’t getting in front of pucks nearly as much, with just 49 blocks in 44 games, good for just 1.11 per contest and a steep decline from the 2.44 per he had during the 2022-23 season. His points total didn’t show it, but Edmundson ironically created more in the offensive zone at even strength and 5-on-5 than he had over the last two seasons, but with a Corsi For of under 50 percent, it wasn’t enough to justify a major price increase near the trade deadline.

This was one of those trades that the Capitals just wanted to get something for the 30-year-old, and they may have gotten more than anticipated, given Edmundson’s forgettable play this season.