3 Defenseman Toronto Maple Leafs Are Rumored To Be Interested in Trading For

No. 3: Joel Edmundson

If you were to ask me how old Joel Edmundson was, I would've guessed he's nearing retirement age. So, I was genuinely surprised to learn that he's only 30 years old. He made significant contributions during the St. Louis Blues' Stanley Cup triumph in 2019 and continued to excel during the Montreal Canadiens' journey to the Finals the following year.

As a pending unrestricted free agent with a modest $3.5 million average annual value (AAV), Edmundson seems like a perfect fit for Toronto. Standing tall at 6-foot-5 and weighing 225 pounds, he would instantly become the team's most imposing defenseman and a formidable presence on the ice. However, the question remains: would the Canadiens be willing to trade him to their biggest rival?

Historically, both teams haven't engaged in many trades with each other, so Toronto might need to sweeten the deal if they're serious about acquiring Edmundson. Given his size and experience, I believe he's a no-brainer acquisition, and I'd personally be willing to offer a bit more to secure his services. In my opinion, he's one of the best available options for the Leafs right now.

Not only is Edmundson physically imposing, but he's also adept at blocking shots and defending against offensive rushes. Considering Toronto will likely face numerous lethal offensive threats in the playoffs, Edmundson could serve as their primary shutdown defender against players like Nikita Kucherov or Matthew Tkachuk.

While injuries have limited his playing time this season, his defensive prowess and experience make him a worthwhile trade target.