It has been far from the most exciting offseason from a free agency standpoint in Raleigh. They've made the odd more here and there, like the addition of Zachary Sawchenko, but nothing to really write home about. The team announced another new addition on Tuesday, adding a potential option to be the team's seventh defenseman.
The Hurricanes announced the signing of Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year, $850k contract. Joseph, a 27-year-old defenseman, spent the 2025-26 season with the Canucks. He played in 31 games for Vancouver, recording a goal and six points. He's listed at 6'2", adding more length to the blue line, though it's unclear just what his role will be for the team.
Joseph, the younger brother of Oilers forward Mathieu Joseph, was selected 23rd overall by the Arizona Coyotes in 2017. He was lethal in the QMJHL, putting up strong numbers for the Charlottetown Islanders over four seasons, including two as their captain. He never played for the Coyotes, being traded to Pittsburgh as part of the package for Phil Kessel in 2019.
After spending the entire 2019-20 season in the AHL, Joseph made his NHL debut on January 22, 2021, against the New York Rangers, recording an assist. He finished with six points in 16 games. After playing just four games in the NHL the next season, Joseph cracked the Penguins' lineup full-time in 2022-23. He recorded 21 points in 75 games and finished 13th for the Calder Trophy.
Playing just 52 games the following season for the Penguins, Joseph signed a one-year deal with the Blues during the 2024 offseason. However, by December, after 23 games in St. Louis, he was traded back to the Penguins for future considerations. Joseph only played 24 games the rest of the season for Pittsburgh before signing his contract with the Canucks for last year.
The Canes already have five of their six defensemen in place for next season, and Alexander Nikishin serves as the lone major question mark. If he eventually signs an extension, Joseph possesses the most NHL experience of the team's options for the seventh defender. If Nikishin is moved, there's a competition for the sixth spot.
Joseph's biggest competition for that spot would be Joel Nystrom and Charles Alex Legault, both of whom saw their first NHL action last season. Both are right-shot defensemen, whereas Joseph is a lefty. It still makes plenty of sense for either Wolves defenseman to step into that spot while Joseph still slots in at #7.
If we learned anything from the start of last season, it's that having too many defensemen is not a thing. The Canes showcased their depth almost immediately. In fact, it's what earned Nystrom his extension. Mike Reilly was the seventh defenseman this year, and he played some invaluable minutes all season. Joseph will get his chance to play. There's no doubt about that.
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