Insider refutes recent report on Maple Leafs defenseman Joel Edmundson

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Ryan Smitheram
June 4, 2024 (9:12)

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Photo credit: Maple Leafs

TSN's Pierre LeBrun has refuted an earlier report stating that Joel Edmundson was going to test the free agent market instead of re-signing with the Leafs.

Acquired for a 2024 third-round pick and 2025 fifth-round pick ahead of the trade deadline, Joel Edmundson did exactly what the Leafs hoped he would when they traded for him. He brought size, physicality and made playing in front of the net as difficult as possible.

The Leafs paid an extra pick to have 50 percent of his remaining salary retained meaning his cap hit was only $875K. Unfortunately, the pending unrestricted free agent is going to command more than that on his next deal.

A previous report indicated that Edmundson was going to test free agency before potentially returning to Toronto. Last night, however, TSN and The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun revealed that there is a mutual interest in having the 30-year-old back in the blue and white for next season.

"Ferris is also the agent for pending UFA defenseman Joel Edmundson, and my understanding is there's mutual interest from the team and the player in getting an extension done," wrote LeBrun. "Edmundson enjoyed playing for new Leafs coach Craig Berube with the St. Louis Blues, winning a Cup together in 2019, and that's a factor to be sure."

Having the opportunity to play with a coach that he enjoyed playing for and won a Stanley Cup with certainly helps the Leafs in re-signing Edmundson and according the Evolving Hockey and AFP Analytics, Edmundson's next contract won't necessarily break the bank either. They both project a 2-year deal with an AAV between $1.4M and $1.7M.

If the Leafs can keep Edmundson around that AAV on a contract extension, it would solidify the bottom pairing at the very least. With less than a month until free agency, we should have an answer sooner than later.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

New Mitch Marner information really complicates Maple Leafs' plans

Igor Shesterkin wants absurd amount of money on extension with Rangers

Toronto media personality roasts the Leafs after Oilers make Cup Final

POLL
4 JUIN \| 445 ANSWERS Insider refutes recent report on Maple Leafs defenseman Joel Edmundson Would you be happy with re-signing Edmundson for under $2M per season?
Absolutely	374	84 %
Nope, for what he did, he isn't worth it	34	7.6 %
Not Sure	37	8.3 %
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