However, we have just learned that things could have been very different.
Despite serious trade rumors circulating between the Canadiens and the Tampa Bay Lightning, nothing ultimately materialized. On this subject, in his recent episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast, renowned insider Elliotte Friedman shared some interesting information.
According to Friedman, the Lightning did indeed try to acquire defenseman Joel Edmundson.
The fact that they had given up almost all of their draft picks to acquire Tanner Jeannot may have deprived BriseBois of Edmundson's services.
There were negotiations between Kent Hughes and the Lightning's general manager (who seriously wanted to add Edmundson), but Tampa Bay simply lacked interesting assets to give to Kent Hughes.
In 2023, they have:
a 6th round pick and two 7th round picks.
In 2024, they have:
a 3rd round pick, a 4th round pick, and picks in the 5th-6th-7th rounds.
In 2025, they have:
a 2nd round pick, a 3rd round pick, and so on.
In short, they have no 1st round picks in the next 3 years and no 2nd round picks in the next 2 years. It's easy to understand why a trade involving Joel Edmundson was not possible.
Edmundson, 29, has 1 goal and 6 assists, for a total of 7 points, in 42 games this season. He earns $3.5 million per year and is signed until 2024.
Credits : Marco Normandin, HABSolumentFan
For the details:
POLL | ||
MARS 6 | 431 ANSWERS Major: Elliotte Friedman just revealed a trade almost completed between the Canadiens and the Lightning involving Joel Edmundson Would you have traded Joel Edmundson for 2024 3rd and 4th round picks? | ||
Yes | 80 | 18.6 % |
No | 351 | 81.4 % |
List of polls |