Penguins A to Z: P.O Joseph finally shows what he's capable of in a meaningful role

With the Pittsburgh Penguins’ 2023-24 season coming to an end without any postseason action, TribLive will offer Penguins A to Z, a player-by-player look at all 52 individuals signed to an NHL contract — including those whose deals do not begin until next season — with the organization, from fourth-line center Noel Acciari to reserve winger Radim Zohorna.

This series is scheduled to be published every weekday leading into the second day of the NHL Draft on June 29.

(Note: All contract information courtesy of Cap Friendly.)

P.O Joseph

Position: Defenseman

Shoots: Left

Age: 24

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 185 pounds

2023-24 NHL statistics: 52 games, 11 points (two goals, nine assists), 15:05 of average ice time per game

2023-24 AHL statistics: Two games, one point (zero goals, one assist)

Contract: In the final year of a two-year contract with a salary cap hit of $825,000. Pending restricted free agent this upcoming offseason

(Note: Joseph is eligible for arbitration.)

Acquired: Trade, June 29, 2019

This season: The story of P.O Joseph’s 2023-24 campaign can really be told in two parts.

And Feb. 20 is the point of division in this tale.

Through the Penguins’ first 52 games, Joseph was in the lineup for only 22 games, either because of healthy scratches or medical issues.

After manning the left side of the third pairing for the first four games of the season, Joseph was a healthy scratch for a quartet of contests before suffering an undisclosed injury in a 10-2 road win against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 4.

The ailment sidelined Joseph for the next 16 games, and he even landed on injured reserve for a spell.

After a two-game conditioning stint with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, Joseph rejoined the active roster on Dec. 10 and played in three NHL contests before missing six consecutive games (four as a healthy scratch and two due to illness).

Following that respite, Joseph was in the lineup for 14 of the next 17 games, primarily deployed on the third pairing. After being a healthy scratch on Feb. 18, Joseph’s fortunes took a turn for the better when he rejoined the lineup and was placed on the top pairing with All-Star Kris Letang. And with that assignment often comes common five-on-five minutes with the top line centered by Sidney Crosby.

JUST WHAT THE DOC ORDERED! ???? pic.twitter.com/AY6zH2lJOb

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) March 29, 2024

Joseph was in the lineup for the remaining 30 games of the season, primarily as Letang’s partner. Not coincidentally, his most impactful play took place during that stretch.

Averaging 16:34 of ice time in that 30-game sequence, Joseph had eight points (two goals, six assists).

As the Penguins made a valiant but futile push for the postseason in the final weeks of the regular season, Joseph’s most tangible contribution to that pursuit was a game-winning goal in a 4-1 road win against the rival Washington Capitals on April 4.

Two shots on goal for the Penguins = two goals for the black and gold! pic.twitter.com/vK2PUE1v7B

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) April 4, 2024

The future: Joseph, who turns 25 on July 5, is by far the most prominent member of the Penguins’ group of pending restricted free agents. He is eligible for arbitration and presumably, all parties involved would like to reach an agreement before that unappetizing possibility.

A first-round pick (No. 23) of the Arizona Coyotes in 2017 who was the primary return in the Penguins’ trade of all-star forward Phil Kessel, Joseph had always carried a fairly high level of expectations since joining the franchise.

It would be charitable to say he has met those aspirations. But it would also be less than accurate to suggest he has been given ample opportunity to fulfill his potential, particularly given the surplus of NHL-caliber left-handed defensemen the Penguins have typically employed during Joseph’s tenure with the organization, such as teammate Marcus Pettersson.

But after Joseph’s mostly satisfactory run with Letang on the top pairing when the team was desperate for wins and a highly underwhelming first season by 2023 free agent signing Ryan Graves, the prism through which Joseph can be viewed has changed.

A lot of things need to play out this offseason such as Joseph’s free agent status and Graves’ potentially taking steps to rehabilitate this sagging game, but Joseph has finally shown what he is capable of in a meaningful role.

Follow the Penguins all season long.