PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins face a tough decision regarding defenseman P.O. Joseph. The pending restricted free agent has had a polarizing tenure since arriving in Pittsburgh. He was slated to become a top four defender in Pittsburgh this past season, but failed to stick in the lineup until the final two months of the season.
Still, he’s just 24 years old. When he is playing well, like he did in the last 20 games of the season, there is so much promise. He’s sure to get another contract, but unsure if it will be with the Penguins.
So, if the Penguins decide to move on from Joseph, they will undoubtedly have willing partners. There is always an interest in defensemen, especially young ones with NHL experience. Here are just a few teams with which the Pens could strike a deal with this summer.
1. Boston Bruins
It seems like the Boston Bruins are always trying to find ways to improve their team’s depth. They have about $20 million devoted to their top three defensemen, so they need to find some cheaper solutions to round out their pairings.
Enter Joseph, who is a likely trade candidate and is still trying to carve out a permanent role in the league.
The Bruins could take a swing on the young Joseph, who would instantly become the team’s only defender under 25 with more than 100 games played.
2. Winnipeg Jets
There’s something about the Winnipeg Jets and players re-finding their games. This could be the case again for Joseph and the Jets. Defensive players like Dylan DeMelo, Nate Schmidt, and Neal Pionk have all rehabilitated their careers while playing in Winnipeg.
Now, they are facing a void on the back end, with several veterans set to hit free agency. They will be looking for replacements, and Joseph is a definite option to fill out their second or third pairing.
3. Anaheim Ducks
The Anaheim Ducks are looking for reinforcements throughout the lineup, so don’t be surprised if they add a defensemen or two in the offseason. They have a standout young defender in Pavel Mintyukov and a few more in the pipeline, like Owen Zellweger and Tristan Luneau.
What they are missing in the defensive core is a player like P.O. Joseph. They need someone with experience, but not a grizzled veteran, that can earn a larger role and play meaningful minutes. It could be a great opportunity for Joseph, and it could be a move the Penguins are keen on making.
The Penguins most likely will and should retain Joseph this summer. Even if they don’t hammer out some sort of longer deal, a qualifying offer will undoubtedly be extended by the Penguins. Despite this, they should still field offers for Joseph. And some of these teams could be the ones the Pens are making a deal with.
