Confirmed Signing with Link: [MTL] Joel Edmundson signs with the Canadiens (4 years, $3.5M AAV)

[Just Linda]

Honestly Hoffman is what the habs need, man is a power play machine.

Him or Dadonov would kill two Panthers with one stone for sure, would drastically improve our team and weaken a division rival (who finished one spot ahead of us in the division standings). He'll, if we are moving out a dman (Kulak) and a forward (Drouin or Domi), we likely could afford both in a perfect world (not that we should). That would make the games against Florida fun

 

[simon IC]

How physical is he ? Can he scrap ?

He can absolutely throw 'em, but doesn't do it a lot anymore. He was a terror in junior, which is one of the reasons we drafted him, but he turned it down a notch when he got to the NHL. He does hit, he blocks shots really well, and will stand up for a teammate. Defensively, he is a bit inconsistent, as I don't think he reads incoming plays that well, and can make bad decisions. He plays a fairly disciplined game. Problems arise when he tries to do too much offensively

 

[K2MyEverest]

I could see the D being,

Chiarot - Weber
Edmundson - Petry
Mete - Romanov
Kulak - Juulsen


which likely means the PP will suck again baring a trade for more firepower up front.

I think what doesn't help the PP is that the Habs are also missing that big shot from the right which means when the Habs are in PP teams just try to neutralize the player with the biggest shot/one timer which is Weber and it's easier for them. If the Habs can get that big RW shoot first mentality player they're looking for, other teams will have more players to cover which will more than often leave that player open or Weber. Funny to say but they miss Pacioretty

 

[Michoulicious]

I was expecting like 2 million. Did I missed something?

First they're willing to pay Jake Allen's full salary to be a backup, now this for a 3rd pair guy?

Maybe you missed he was payed more than 3 millions after arbitration in the last 2 years? Maybe.

 

[glenbuis]

Honestly Hoffman is what the habs need, man is a power play machine.

I’d like Hoffman to but I think he’ll be looking for to much cash

 

[topshelf15]

Big defense to guard the front of the net...And just work the counter punch game??

 

[Hostile Offer]

Too much for too long but it was expected.

 

[FerrisRox]

Montreal immediately putting ~$8 mil in cap space for players like Edmundson and Allen seems...not great? It's not terrible but they can get back up goalies and replacement level defensemen for much cheaper and save the space for a big dog

Well, considering their biggest roster holes were LD and back up goaltender, I think it makes a lot of sense.

The Canadiens have two new LD's next season and a veteran goaltender to back up Price.

 

[DiglettDangles]

From a Montreal perspective...

Best case scenario:
Edmundson plays well next year, gets the attention of Seattle who pick him over the eligible young D's (a 3-year commitment can be attractive to a budding franchise), and Montreal only paid a 5th + used some available cap in 20-21.

Disappointing/realistic scenario:
Edmundson predictably tops out as a semi-reliable bottom pair D, Seattle pick someone else (imo Kulak/Mete/Juulsen/Fleury from 7-3-1). His contract's second year might force a necessary choice between the UFAs-to-be (provided one or more of Gallagher/Danault/Tatar/Petry aren't traded by then) but the cap space is still healthy. Once the defensive prospects move up the ladder (Romanov, Norlinder, Struble all "safely" project to be superior) Edmundson has 1 or 2 years left, and should still be the type of low-expectation player for which teams pay a late round pick at the deadline, to beef up their D (if you need all the space you can get for the post-ELCs). Nothing problematic.

Worst case scenario:
Replaces Alzner in the Laval Rocket Museum/Catacombs. Honestly I don't see it as very likely.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Amazing contract, wow. Edmundson doesn't care much about money. Good to see.

 

[Artorius Horus T]

Habs fans gonna love Edmundson, his entire 4 years there.

 

[Archijerej]

Well, considering their biggest roster holes were LD and back up goaltender, I think it makes a lot of sense.

The Canadiens have two new LD's next season and a veteran goaltender to back up Price.

Still makes you wonder, though. At the end of the disastrous 2017-18 season Bergevin restructured the LD position. He brought in Reilly, Kulak and Olofsson. Those were stop-gap solutions, but it gave you an idea of what kind of defencemen we're after. Then we added Chiarot, which was good. But now we doubled down and signed Edmundson. This kind of frequent change of philosophy hardly inspires confidence.

I wonder how our transition game is gonna look like. When we're at our best our forwards do an excellent job supporting the D, so maybe they're counting on that.

 

[Didalee Hed]

This is the old Canucks standard good defenceman contract. 14 over 4. I swear like 3-4 top 4 dmen signed this deal in Vancouver in the 00’s and early 10’s.
I think all of salo, bieksa, mitchell, and maybe one more had this deal.

 

[Davimir Tarablad]

Probably one of the most wildly inconsistent defenseman in the league. Some games he'll look like a top pairing guy, other nights you'll think he's playing for the other team. And you're always left guessing which one will show up.

 

[General Fanager]

MB hoping to create another Chiarot success story. Will see but we still need. PMD and PP specialist.

the good news is this should end the idiotic Graves/Zadorov to Habs for Danault.

Just play Suzuki on the point with Weber. He is your PP QB

1-2 big winders is what they still need. I see more trades coming.....

 

[TopTenPlayz]

Probably one of the most wildly inconsistent defenseman in the league. Some games he'll look like a top pairing guy, other nights you'll think he's playing for the other team. And you're always left guessing which one will show up.

That's why he's a 4-5-6 dman playing 17-20 mins per game. Nobody expects more from him. Currently, he's a lot more stable than Kulak or Mete. His salary and term are fine considering he was headed for UFA.

 

[biturbo19]

Doesn't seem like a bad deal, for the Habs. But seems kinda confusing that they'd sign Edmunson to a deal like that...when they already have Chiarot, who is kinda the found money version of that same sort of player and role. How many of those sorta guys can you really keep in the lineup playing minutes, and for how long, if you really want to start to improve long-term?

 

[Habs Halifax]

No, I think MTL is incredibly underrated. This is just a stupid signing.

Habs and Leafs should switch GM's... Dubas can add some skilled guys to the Habs and Bergevin can add some depth/grit guys on Leafs

Seems a year to long for my taste. Money is about right. Was thinking chiarott contract was the benchmark

I wanted a 1 or 2 year deal. 4 year term is a bit risky if he is not a good fit. Got to live with it now. We will see where he fits best. LD partner to Petry or RD partner to the rookie Romanov. I see what Bergevin is doing. Just don't like the 4 year term.

Doesn't seem like a bad deal, for the Habs. But seems kinda confusing that they'd sign Edmunson to a deal like that...when they already have Chiarot, who is kinda the found money version of that same sort of player and role. How many of those sorta guys can you really keep in the lineup playing minutes, and for how long, if you really want to start to improve long-term?

Chiarot and Edmundson buys time for Romanov, Norlinder, Harris, Struble. Most know about Romanov now but watch out for Norlinder, Harris, Struble this next season. Especially Norlinder who might be the best offensive D man in the SHL. Struble might crack the US WJC roster. That guy is a beast

He is not.

When we traded for Chiarot last year... the comments were good 4/5 guy? Same feeling with Edmundson?

Aren't they both LD's?

Didn't Edmundson play RD with Slavin last year at times? I think this move might be for one of two spots and it's not determined yet... LD spot with Petry or RD spot with the rookie Romanov

 

[biturbo19]

Chiarot and Edmundson buys time for Romanov, Norlinder, Harris, Struble. Most know about Romanov now but watch out for Norlinder, Harris, Struble this next season. Especially Norlinder who might be the best offensive D man in the SHL.

That's kinda the issue. Brook is coming too, and he will be a good one.

I guess it's just sort of a...replace Chiarot in the future, preemptive move. Eventually there'll be a spot for those guys to step into?

 

[Habs Halifax]

That's kinda the issue. Brook is coming too, and he will be a good one.

I guess it's just sort of a...replace Chiarot in the future, preemptive move. Eventually there'll be a spot for those guys to step into?

* Romanov, Norlinder, Harris, Struble ---- Chiarot, Edmundson, Kulak

* Brook, Fleury, Juulsen ----- Weber, Petry

LD is stronger in the pool so I expect the Habs to trade more RD's and Wingers in the coming drafts. Weber around for 3 years and Petry might be 5 with a 4 year extension. We are in decent shape but Weber/Petry won't be easy to replace in 3-5 years.

Brook had a meh first year as a pro. Still hope left and his 2nd pro season is coming. Does he stall or take a jump forward? Not sure. Big strong boy that skates well and just needs to adjust to less time and space. It's normal.

 

[biturbo19]

* Romanov, Norlinder, Harris, Struble ---- Chiarot, Edmundson, Kulak

* Brook, Fleury, Juulsen ----- Weber, Petry

LD is stronger in the pool so I expect the Habs to trade more RD's and Wingers in the coming drafts. Weber around for 3 years and Petry might be 5 with a 4 year extension. We are in decent shape but Weber/Petry won't be easy to replace in 3-5 years.

Brook had a meh first year as a pro. Still hope left and his 2nd pro season is coming. Does he stall or take a jump forward? Not sure. Big strong boy that skates well and just needs to adjust to less time and space. It's normal.

I think Brook will be fine, it just may indeed take him a moment to adjust. He's the sort of defenceman who will probably marinate for a while, but be capable of stepping up for brief stints in the meantime, without looking terrible.

Romanov is also a guy who may or may not ultimately settle in as a RHD. They'll probably try to force him in as a LHD, but sometimes it's easier just to not mess with what works. That'd help settle the situation in several ways potentially.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I think Brook will be fine, it just may indeed take him a moment to adjust. He's the sort of defenceman who will probably marinate for a while, but be capable of stepping up for brief stints in the meantime, without looking terrible.

Romanov is also a guy who may or may not ultimately settle in as a RHD. They'll probably try to force him in as a LHD, but sometimes it's easier just to not mess with what works. That'd help settle the situation in several ways potentially.

Agree on Brook... quiet development and after a few years, he becomes something.

Have not hear too much of Romanov playing other side but I do know he can. Same with Norlinder and Harris. Options are there but Habs have to wait on them. I don't mind the Edmundson signing but 4 year term is risky for a depth guy (4/5 type). We will see how that plays out.

Bergevin the best depth GM in the NHL! Bargain bin searcher expert... He will make for a fine assistant GM one day!

 

[crackdown44]

I don’t hate this but I don’t love it for Montreal either. I feel like with the cap staying flat they could have used their cap space to get some nice assets like they did with Mason/Armia from Winnipeg.

Becomes trickier for them to add scoring up front as well. Edmunson seems a little redundant and personally I don’t feel he’s a significant upgrade on Kulak. Not a signing that’s going to hurt them either though

 

[Zaddy]

Really surprised at some comments on here, not as surprised by the analytics crowd on twitter, but Edmundson is a great defenseman. Calling him a replacement level player is a joke. The guy is as solid as they come. I've watched him since he broke into the league. He's a very valuable #4/5 guy. I wonder how many people here have actually watched him and didn't just go immediately to EliteProspects to check his point totals after seeing this deal.

Terrible deal for a replacement level player

ITT: People trying to say giving a 7D 3.5 million per year is a good deal

Curious to me that you feel entitled to comment on this deal when you've clearly never watched Edmundson play.

Is this guy actually bad or is this another one of those defensemen that NHL coaches utilize extensively but the stats nerds don't know how to properly evaluate yet?

The latter.

 

[howkie]

I cant really understand this move. Caps already have Chariot who is more or less playing same role, and sadly we kinda needed his skills in Jets. If Buff just could say much earlier he would quit so we could have resigned him and have some size.