
The Pittsburgh Penguins are bringing back defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph of Laval, Quebec. On Wednesday according to Rogers Sportsnet, the Penguins acquired Joseph from the St. Louis Blues for future considerations.
Joseph originally played four seasons with the Penguins from 2020 to 2024. In 147 National Hockey League regular season games, he had eight goals and 29 assists for 37 points. He was a +4 with 66 penalty minutes, three power-play points, two game-winning goals, 184 shots on goal, 91 blocked shots, 163 hits, 69 takeaways, and 62 giveaways.
Joseph’s first NHL game-winning goal came on February 10, 2023 in a 6-3 Penguins win over the Anaheim Ducks. He put the Penguins up 4-1 at 14:55 of the second period from Evgeni Malkin. Joseph’s second NHL game-winning goal came on April 4, 2024 in a 4-1 Penguins win over the Washington Capitals. At 11:03 of the first period, Joseph scored from two-time All-Star Kris Letang of Montreal, Quebec and Drew O’Connor. At the time, the Penguins went up 2-0.
This season in St. Louis, Joseph had two assists in 23 games. He was a -7 with 23 penalty minutes, 22 shots on goal, 13 blocked shots, 13 hits, seven takeaways, and 28 giveaways. Joseph recored both assists in Blues wins. He first set up his brother Mathieu Joseph of Laval, Quebec at 10:22 of the second period in a 4-3 Blues win over the Carolina Hurricanes on October 19. Brayden Schenn of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan picked up the other assist on an all-Canadian goal. At the time, the Blues tied the game at one. Joseph then set up Jordan Kyrou of Toronto, Ontario at 11:47 of the second period in a 3-2 Blues shootout win over the San Jose Sharks on November 21. Robert Thomas of Aurora, Ontario picked up the assist on another all-Canadian goal. At the time, the Blues took a 2-1 lead.
In 2023-24 with the Penguins, Joseph had two goals and nine assists for 11 points. He was a -3 with 14 penalty minutes, one game-winning goal, 42 shots on goal, 44 blocked shots, 47 hits, 22 takeaways and 20 giveaways.
The Penguins are currently at 14 wins, 14 regulation losses, and five losses in extra time for 33 points. They are one point back of the Ottawa Senators for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blues are at 15 wins, 15 regulation losses, and three losses in extra time for 33 points. They are three points back of the Colorado Avalanche for a playoff spot in the Western Conference. It is interesting that the Penguins and Blues made this deal when they are both at .500 and have the same number of points.