The Washington Capitals have made a significant trade, sending defenseman Joel Edmundson to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL Draft (originally from the New York Islanders) and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft (originally from the Chicago Blackhawks). The Capitals will also retain 50 percent of Edmundson's salary as part of the deal.

The news was first reported by Frank Seravalli of The Daily Faceoff, with Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman providing the full return before the Capitals made the move official. It is a solid return for the Capitals, as they recoup a third-round pick and a seventh-round pick that they had previously traded to acquire Edmundson from the Montreal Canadiens just eight months ago.

Edmundson, who missed the beginning of the season due to a hand injury sustained during training camp, played 44 games for the Capitals, contributing six points (1 goal, 5 assists) during his time with the team. The 30-year-old defenseman also brings valuable postseason experience, having played in 22 playoff games with the St. Louis Blues during their 2019 Stanley Cup victory and another 22 playoff games with the Montreal Canadiens in their run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2021.

With an average ice time of 16 minutes and 26 seconds per game this season, Edmundson has primarily played on the Capitals' third defensive pairing and received 1 minute and 31 seconds of penalty kill time per game under coach Spencer Carbery.

As a result of this trade, the Capitals now own a total of 25 picks in the next three NHL drafts. They have eight picks in the 2024 NHL Draft, including their own first, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-round picks, as well as picks acquired from Vegas, Boston, and the New York Islanders. In the 2025 NHL Draft, the Capitals possess nine picks, including their own first, second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth-round picks, along with picks acquired from Colorado, Boston, and Chicago. They also own all seven of their picks in the 2026 NHL Draft, including a fourth-round pick from Vegas.

With Edmundson set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, the Capitals have made a move to acquire valuable draft picks and strengthen their future roster. President and general manager Brian MacLellan continues to be active in shaping the team's future as they eye another deep playoff run.