{"id":643836,"date":"2026-08-16T10:33:28","date_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:33:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/643836\/"},"modified":"2026-08-16T10:33:28","modified_gmt":"2026-08-16T10:33:28","slug":"la-kings-training-camp-preview-joel-edmundson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/643836\/","title":{"rendered":"LA Kings Training Camp Preview: Joel Edmundson"},"content":{"rendered":"

With training camp just around the corner, we are previewing each player on the\u00a0LA Kings<\/a> roster. Up next: Joel Edmundson<\/a>!<\/p>\n

Joel Edmundson<\/p>\n

Birthdate: June 28, 1993<\/p>\n

Birthplace: Manitoba, Canada<\/p>\n

Height: 6\u20195<\/p>\n

Weight: 220 lbs<\/p>\n

Position: Defense<\/p>\n

Shoots: Left<\/p>\n

Draft: 2nd round, 46th overall, 2011 NHL Draft<\/p>\n

2025-26 season<\/p>\n

Joel Edmundson wrapped up his second year of a four-year contract with 23 points and played in all 82 games. Two years ago, Edmundson was brought in as a free agent by former general manager Rob Blake. The idea of a big left-handed defenseman, a trend we\u2019ve seen the Kings pursue before and after his signing, and deliver occasional cross-checks to the opposition in front of the net when defending to play alongside Clarke was appealing to the front office.<\/p>\n

Give Joel Edmundson a save!!! pic.twitter.com\/ptuJrVciXs<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LA Kings (@LAKings) March 14, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

According to Natural Stat Trick<\/a>, at 5v5, Edmundson spent the most minutes with Clarke (no surprise). The duo had strong underlying numbers, including 52 CF%, 58 GF%, 46.4 xGF, 43.2 xGA, 51.8 xGF%, 50.6 SCF%, and 51 HDCF%. When they were separated at 5v5, Clarke\u2019s numbers were exceptional, while Edmundson\u2019s were inferior.<\/p>\n

Despite having a solid +\/- stat, his underlying metrics were insufficient when not playing alongside Clarke.<\/p>\n

VERY BIG GOAL JOEL pic.twitter.com\/X4tnV3nWkl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 LA Kings (@LAKings) April 26, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

2026-27 outlook<\/p>\n

For the third straight day, I am going to sound like a broken record: since the Kings haven\u2019t made any changes to the backend, I expect Edmundson to be on the second pair again. If the Kings are serious about Clarke being their future number-one defenseman, we should see him take on a bigger role, leaving Edmundson to be paired with someone else. If not, Edmundson should be paired with Clarke again at 5v5 and see time on the penalty kill.<\/p>\n

Featured image credit: Steve Roberts\/Getty Images<\/p>\n

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