Habs 2010
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 997
I don't know if I like the move either, but having said that I think the trade sends the following message to Edmundson -this team wants me.
No other teams can negotiate with Edmundson, so now MTL can set a price without having to worry about what other teams are offering. Sure Edmundson can wait, but they would be taking a risk when MTL has already shown they are fully invested by the gesture of trading for his negotiation rights. Also Edmundson has played the last two years out on 1 yr deals, gotta think he wants some term and security.
I don't know how this is going to shake out, but I can see the value in identifying a player you want and trading for his negotiating rights. Whether or not this is the player the habs should have identified is another thing, but we will have to wait and see.