The Los Angeles Kings signed Joel Edmundson as a free agent last summer to a four-year deal worth $15.4 million and in his first season with the team, Edmundson had career-highs or near career-highs across the board. He finished with six goals (second most in his career), 14 assists (career-high), 20 points (tied for a career high) with a +/- of +25 (second-best in his career).
He also was one of two Kings' players this season to have over 100 blocked shots and hits with Edmundson joining Mikey Anderson in that category.
On the surface, it was a positive season for Edmundson, but some of the analytics have a different story. There were 10 defensive pairings this season that had over 100 minutes of ice time, and while the pairing of Edmundson and Jordan Spence was the second-best in xGoals% at 60.5%, according to MoneyPuck.
However, Edmundson was part of three of the bottom four pairs in the same category as Edmundson-Gavrikov (54.8%), Edmundson-Clarke (52.2%) and Edmundson-Doughty (41.7%). The pairing of Edmundson and Clarke is notable as that was the pairing with the second-most minutes of ice time this season with almost 730 minutes.
Grade for Joel Edmundson 2024-25 season with the Los Angeles Kings: C+
At the time the Kings signed Edmundson, he was probably viewed as the left defenseman on that third pairing, either with Spence or Clarke. However, Drew Doughty's injury changed those expectations and he had a much bigger role in the first half of the season.
This past season was far from perfect but there was plenty to be positive about looking through the lens of Edmundson being part of that third line.
The concern is that there is a chance that Edmundson may be asked to move up to that second-pair if Gavrikov is not re-signed and in that scenario, the Kings might see their defense take a step backwards next season.