The Washington Capitals have announced that defenseman Joel Edmundson will miss 4-6 weeks with a fractured hand after he suffered the injury during a scrimmage on Sunday. The native of Brandon, Manitoba had surgery yesterday on the injured hand and should be back in action by mid-November.
Edmundson came over to Washington in a trade this summer from the Montreal Canadiens in which the Capitals gave up a third and a seventh-round pick for his services. The 30-year-old has been hampered by injuries the past few seasons, particularly last year when he dealt with a chronic back issue that limited him to just 61 games. Edmundson posted two goals and 11 assists last season and was -29.
The injury is another run of bad luck for the former Stanley Cup winner. Edmundson had been battling in training camp and appeared eager to take on a fresh start in Washington. He is in the final season of a four-year $14MM contract he signed with the Canadiens back in 2020 and will need a big year if he wants to cash in on free agency. The flat cap has limited the free agent market for players over 30 years of age and could hinder Edmundson’s future earning potential.
The Capitals are expected to have several players battle for Edmundson’s spot while he is out of the lineup with Vincent Iorio, Hardy Haman, Lucas Johansen, and Alexander Alexeyev the favorites to claim his position.
The Capitals missed the playoffs last season and are hoping for a bounce back this year but so far have dealt with a few setbacks in the form of Edmundson’s injury, as well as the injury to Max Pacioretty, who has no timetable to return as of right now.
Of the options given Haman and Johansen are certainly older but I’ve seen none of either and at 25 if they’re going to make an NHL impact they have to make it soon.
I’ve seen Alexeyev and Iorio play. Both were up during the rash of injuries last winter when the team actually looked faster and better. Alexeyev shoots lefty and is a little older and did look a little more polished while given a good bit of time (30 or so games) with the Caps. Iorio is younger, shoots righty but certainly did not look lost either – he got a cup of coffee. Both are bigger guys who can move and move the puck who can do what Edmunson can do. It definitely gives one of these guys a chance to open the season in DC rather than Hershey and get a look for a few games.