St. Louis Blues: Could Joel Edmundson Return this Offseason?
By Tyler Andrus
Even though the St. Louis Blues just traded Joel Edmundson a year ago, what are the chances that we could see him return in the note for the 2020-21 season? A lot of factors play into this but if things fall the right way I have a good feeling that he will make his way back to the Gateway City.
The St. Louis Blues are not hurting for defensemen at the moment. Honestly, they are set up quite well for the future, even if Alex Pietrangelo decides to walk.
Every one of their defensemen is locked up for next season with the exception of Pietrangelo and Vince Dunn. Dunn is a restricted free agent and I highly doubt the Blues let him go very long without a contract.
Joel Edmundson becomes a free agent this offseason after just one season as a Carolina Hurricane. His $3.1 million deal expires at the end of the season, making him an unrestricted free agent.
Hypothetically, if Pietrangelo walks and Dunn gets an extension for a little less than Colton Parayko money ($5.5 million), the Blues will have plenty of cap space to bring a still young Edmundson back. It would also be a solid replacement for a hole in the defense.
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Edmundson was having one the best seasons before the massive hiatus. He collected 3.2 defensive point shares and 1.1 offensive point shares (highest of career) with a plus/minus of plus-7 and 20 points (7 G, 13 A) while averaging 18:27 minutes per night.
It would not be a huge free-agent splash for the current Stanley Cup champions. It would be a very solid alternative option who would give you good production at the right price.
Additionally, Edmundson has great relationships with the guys in the locker room who were undoubtedly sad to see him go. Blues fans were sadder than they let on as well. People did not show it as much, however, because we were excited to be getting an even bigger name on the roster in Justin Faulk.
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If the Blues can get Alex Pietrangelo signed back to the squad then all of this is a moot point because they would not need a defenseman and would not have the funds to get a deal done with Edmundson. However, Edmundson is a glimmer of hope that Pietrangelo leaving the team is not the worst-case scenario for this offseason.