Capitals to miss Edmundson to open season with hand injury

*Photo from the Daily Faceoff*

   Debuting with this player's new team will have to wait a bit longer. Washington Capitals defenseman Joel Edmundson underwent surgery on his hand and will be out for multiple weeks, according to the team on Wednesday.

   Washington head coach Spencer Carbery said that "It’s not ideal, definitely, team-wise and for him individually, personally. Just the timing of it, new organization and right away just getting injured. But on the bright side, it’s an opportunity for some young guys and it could have been worse."

   Edmundson was acquired by the Capitals from the Montreal Canadiens in a trade this summer, with a 3rd and 7th round pick going back to Montreal as the Canadiens retained half of Edmundson's remaining salary.

   In a scrimmage on Sunday, Edmundson sustained a fractured hand, and he underwent surgery to stabilize his hand. He's expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks. A 4 week return will put him out of action until roughly October 25-26, while 6 weeks would keep him out until roughly November 8-9.

   Carbery said "He was just engaged in a battle and just sort of jamming it is the way I saw it and was told. It’s tough because he’s battled some stuff over the last couple of years and this is kind of a little bit of a fresh start for him. I felt like he was in a really good place, getting here a little bit early, starting to integrate himself with the group."

   Edmundson played in 61 games for the Canadiens last season, missing some time due to a back injury. He put up two goals and 11 assists for 13 points, averaging 19:34 of ice time with a -29 rating. The Canadiens finished in 8th in the Atlantic Division with a 31-45-6 record.

   At the end of the season, Edmundson can hit free agency. He is entering the final season of a 4 year, $14 million contract he signed with the Canadiens prior to the Covid shortened 2021 season. He is due a $2 million signing bonus and has a $3.5 million AAV to go with a modified no trade clause in the form of a 10 team no trade list.

   With Edmundson on the shelf, the Capitals will have Alexander Alexeyev, Lucas Johansen, Vincent Iorio, and Hardy Haman Aktell compete for the open spot on the blue line. The Capitals finished last season with a 35-37-10 record and a 6th place finish in the Metropolitan Division.