Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Joel Edmundson is set to test free agency after completing his four-year, $14 million deal signed in 2020 with the Montreal Canadiens. Acquired by the Maple Leafs at the trade deadline, Edmundson had a successful stint but plans to explore his options in free agency, according to NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
Pagnotta noted, “The Leafs have expressed interest in re-signing Joel Edmundson, but he intends to test free agency next month. He is open to returning to Toronto but wants to consider other opportunities first.”
The 30-year-old was traded from the Washington Capitals to the Maple Leafs for a third-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft and a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. Edmundson played nine regular season games for Toronto, recording zero points but a +3 rating, and contributed one assist in seven playoff games. He won the Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues in 2019 and has also played for the Carolina Hurricanes, Canadiens, and Capitals.
Additionally, fellow Maple Leafs defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin is also expected to enter free agency, as Toronto has not started contract talks with him. Lyubushkin completed a two-year, $5.5 million deal signed in 2022. Acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for a third-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft and a sixth-round pick in the 2024 NHL draft, Lyubushkin recorded four assists in 19 regular season games and three assists in seven playoff games in his second stint with the Maple Leafs.
Toronto currently has 10 pending unrestricted free agents (UFAs) and four restricted free agents (RFAs). Notable UFAs include Tyler Bertuzzi, who scored 43 points last season and has started contract extension talks with the Maple Leafs, and Max Domi, who finished the year with 47 points.
The full list of the Maple Leafs’ free agents includes:
– Tyler Bertuzzi, LW, UFA
– Max Domi, C, UFA
– Connor Dewar, LW, RFA
– Noah Gregor, RW, RFA
– Nicholas Robertson, C, RFA
– TJ Brodie, D, UFA
– Joel Edmundson, D, UFA
– Mark Giordano, D, UFA
– Ilya Lyubushkin, D, UFA
– Timothy Liljegren, D, RFA
– Ilya Samsonov, G, UFA
– Martin Jones, G, UFA
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