NHL Rumors: Capitals & Canadiens Linked In Trade For Defenceman

The Washington Capitals will continue to be without their top defenceman John Carlson for the foreseeable future and will be looking to make a significant addition to their back-end by the trade deadline. Montreal Canadiens' defender Joel Edmundson has been linked to the Capitals by Marc-Antoine Godin, saying he may be a good fit.

Apparently multiple teams have also shown interest in Edmundson, but the Canadiens are reluctant to trade him and he likes it in Montreal. The Canadiens are not yet ready to contend, so it may do them more good to get a first round pick or more from their veteran.

Edmundson won't bring all the elements to the Capitals that they lost with Carlson, but he is a top-four defenceman that will only benefit the team if acquired. This would give the Capitals some security and knowledge going into the offseason with only one defenceman signed past this season.

Edmundson ranks fourth among Canadiens' defencemen in average time on ice, but first in blocked shots on the team. He could fetch them another first round pick. Montreal isn't ready to compete just yet, and they have the opportunity to acquire many more assets to get them where they want to be in a few short years. A trade between the two teams would benefit both sides at this time.