The official value of Joel Edmundson is revealed by Pierre LeBrun and it's huge!

Despite the number 44's struggles this season, the veteran defenseman would be worth at least a first round pick according to LeBrun.

According to the journalist, what explains this high value is based on the price paid by Tampa Bay for David Savard in 2020. They had given a first and third round pick.

This price was repeated last year, when the Panthers paid the same price for Ben Chiarot.

It seems to have become the standard everywhere, across the NHL. If you want a reliable defenseman for your defensive squad in the playoffs, you have to pay a first round pick.

However, the fact that Edmundson has one more year at $3.5M could change that.

Indeed, LeBrun says the CH isn't necessarily ready to trade him quickly, as he still has another season left on his contract. This is a huge gamble for Kent Hughes, as Edmundson's injury history is starting to weigh heavily on him, even to the point where this season he seems to have really slowed down.

If he gets hurt again or struggles, Hughes could quickly regret not trading him first, especially if the price he received was actually a first round pick.

So this is a case to watch.

Credit: Rumeursdetransaction.com