Penguins Re-Assign P.O. Joseph, Activate Mike Matheson

Pittsburgh Penguins’ top prospect P.O. Joseph didn’t get any NHL action in his latest recall. Friday evening, the Penguins re-assigned the 22-year-old defenseman to the WBS Penguins and activated d-man Mike Matheson.

Matheson was dealing with a nagging upper-body injury. He last played on Feb. 24 against the New Jersey Devils. The following day, head coach Mike Sullivan announced that Matheson was out week-to-week.

Matheson, 28, has 21 points (7-14-21) in 50 games.

P.O. Joseph has played in four games with the Pittsburgh Penguins and 40 AHL games this season. With WBS, Joseph’s career-high nine goals, 19 assists, and 28 points lead all team defensemen, and his point total ranks second on the team.

In 20 career NHL games, the 6-foot-2, 185-pound defenseman has recorded one goal, four assists, and five points. Joseph has accumulated 58 points (13-45-58) in 115 games since turning pro in the 2019-20 season with the WBS Penguins.

The Penguins host the Vegas Golden Knights at PPG Paints Arena on Friday and the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.