Blues avoid arbitration with Edmundson

Defenseman gets one-year contract worth $3 

million, can become restricted free agent again in 2019

By LOU KORAC
ST. LOUIS -- The Blues locked up one of the remaining two restricted free agents on Tuesday morning when they signed defenseman Joel Edmundson to a one-year contract worth $3 million. 

Joel Edmundson

Edmundson, 25, was scheduled for an arbitration hearing on Wednesday morning, but much like the situation the Blues faced with Colton Parayko last summer, the sides agreed to terms before allowing a judge to determine contract parameters. Parayko got a five-year, $27.5 million contract. 

The 6-foot-4, 216-pound Edmundson played in 69 games last season, his third in the NHL, and achieved career highs in goals (seven) and points (17); he will be a key cog moving forward, and his contract represents the current situation with the Blues regarding the salary cap.

Edmundson just finished up a two-year, $2.1 million contract and his current deal pushes the Blues' cap to just under $78.5 million and leaves them with a little more than $1 million remaining and Jordan Schmaltz remaining to sign.

With the Blues having expiring contracts coming off the books after the upcoming season, there will be more room for them to sign Edmundson to a longer term contract moving forward.

Edmundson's season last year was capped off by a selection to represent Canada at the IIHF World Championship and had four points (one goal, three assists) in nine games.

A second round pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, Edmundson has played in 205 regular season games with the Blues and has 41 points (11 goals, 30 assists) along with seven points (four goals, three assists) and in 27 Stanley Cup playoff games.