Joseph Enjoying Career Switch; Another D-Man Ups Penguins Trade Value (+)
From necessity to enjoying a positional switch, Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph has traversed a rocky road this season. Beginning in June as a restricted free agent, the Penguins reversed their publicly stated course and opted not to extend a qualifying offer, and the changes began.
Joseph didn’t re-sign with the Penguins, becoming a free agent and signing with the St. Louis Blues. Things went poorly in St. Louis, and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas snatched up Joseph for the low, low price of future considerations.
In the older days, future considerations meant attaching a one-dollar bill to the trade agreement. Now, it’s usually an asset that is not much more valuable if any asset changes hands at all.
After a few strong games at his natural position on the left side, the Penguins found themselves in need of a right-side defenseman. Lefties Matt Grzelcyk struggled there, and Ryan Shea wasn’t better. Owen Pickering also passed through that turnstile before returning to the left side.
So, after the others struggled, it was Joseph’s turn.
Coach Mike Sullivan conceded in reply to Pittsburgh Hockey Now that he thought Joseph did a good job in a spot start on the right side but understood the defenseman would probably prefer to play on the left.
Over the last few weeks, the Penguins’ blue line has undergone a few changes. Ryan Graves has been relegated to the press box. Owen Pickering has taken a regular turn in the lineup. And one defenseman has upped his trade value significantly.
Pittsburgh Hockey Now spoke directly with a few Penguins defensemen.
Joseph’s flip worked for the team.
And the player is coming around on it, too.
“It’s a little bit different than playing the strong side. If you don’t have that type of mobility, it’s not easy on your backhand,” Sullivan said. “Under difficult circumstances–I think if he had his druthers, he would not want to play on his offside– but out of necessity, that’s what the team needs, and he embraces the challenge.”
A defenseman playing on his offside does have some positives, too. In the offensive zone, the player’s forehand is in the middle of the ice instead of on the wall. That can open up a player’s game, which is why some European programs initiate the switch at an earlier age. It’s not done as much in North America, and even Sullivan generally admits he prefers lefties on the left and righties on the right.
However, Joseph is changing his tune about playing on the offside. First, it gets him in the NHL lineup, so that’s a plus, but he’s also finding that he’s pretty good at it.
“Honestly, yeah (I’m enjoying it). I just see the different side of the game. The first couple was an adjustment, but I feel like I’m starting to get the hang of it,” Joseph told PHN. “You know, even in the O-zone, just like a pump fake and a movement that I wouldn’t be able to do at first. But I think in terms of breakouts too, I think I kind of like it too, just to see everything. And then I think playing with (Pickering) is kind of it’s kind of funny as a, you know, a lot of energy and just in the game more than anything. But, you know, I feel like I’m enjoying it so far.
Another element of Joseph’s game that you may have noticed is a bit more physicality. That certainly wasn’t his strong suit in his first stint with the Penguins, but at 26 years old and no longer being the first-round pick with loads of potential, he’s adding a little more jam to his game, too.
Last weekend, he was the first person in the scrum when Nick Cousins of the Ottawa Senators and Michael Bunting scrapped at center ice. Joseph raced into the fray and did more than slow dance with his opponent. Besides dual high-sticking penalties after scrumming with his brother last season, it was a new Joseph showing some toughness.
“Absolutely. I mean, I surprised myself with a fight early in this year, but I feel like it’s something that I’ve got to bring into my game–how to be more physical,” said Joseph. “I think that’s one aspect of it. And, when you see a teammate getting run around like that, yeah, it’s never fun. So we’ve got to protect each other.”
Matt Grzelcyk
Grzelcyk is on a one-year “show me” sort of contract after nearly a decade with the Boston Bruins. Grzelcyk, 31, signed for $2.75 million to replace Joseph.
Things started well in the first couple of weeks of the season, but then Grzelcyk struggled. Erik Karlsson struggled. Kris Letang suffered an injury, and the other Penguins blue liners were not up to the task as the team’s defensive zone coverage more closely resembled a preschool soccer game.
The situation, especially with Grzelcyk, has taken a very positive turn. His game has been exemplary for weeks if not a couple of months. He has fit like a glove, and Karlsson’s game has reached peak performance, too.
On a team hanging by a thread in the Eastern Conference playoff race and with a general manager whose stated goal is to revamp the team for future championship runs, a 31-year-old veteran defenseman on an expiring contract is also prime trade bait.
Grzelcyk’s struggles took him off the trade board, but his play over the last couple of months puts him squarely back on the board. A top-four defenseman who can run a power play could fetch a solid return near the deadline. Or he could be a great help to the Penguins if they’re able to regain their standing.
PHN also had the opportunity to speak with Grzelcyk one-on-one. Interestingly, he also referenced Karlsson’s struggles when asked about his own dip but, in the same sentence, also expressed veneration for Karlsson’s current game, which has been his best.
“I guess it was a little bit of time in terms of an adjustment to just knowing where everything is and feeling a little more comfortable. I think (chemistry with a defense partner) comes naturally, and I won’t speak for Karl, but I think missing camp is not an easy thing to jump right into the season,” Grzelck. “So he’s playing really well. Right now, I’m trying to be a complement to him as much as I can. When he’s going like this, it’s it’s fun to watch.”
Grzelcyk was shuffled out of the lineup last season in Boston, so that’s not a great comparison to this season. One interesting note is that he is about to set a career-high in assists and likely points, too. Grzelcyk had 22 assists in 2022-23 and has 21 already this season. His career high is 26 points (4-22-26), also set in 2022-23.
Does that mark mean anything to him?
I was a little surprised by his answer.
“No. You feel better about your game when you’re getting points and seeing the puck go in the net. So, I think I am getting a few more opportunities in Pittsburgh than maybe I was in the last couple of years,” Grzelcyk said. “So yeah, that always helps for sure. I think it’s something that I’m not trying to let (define) how I’m playing this season, but it’s always nice to get rewarded out there.”
If his play continues, he may also be rewarded by playing with a contender.
Both of these guys have played way better lately. Only thing that I can see is that I wish their shots can be on net more often and create more scoring chances!
Playing the off side is an advantage in the offensive zone but a disadvantage in the defensive zone. It is difficult to keep your stick on the puck as you are back pedaling and trying to angle the puck carrier to the wall because your stick is to the middle of the ice and not to the wall. I’d be more concerned with the defensive zone coverage especially with this team.
PO Joseph was not good at all in the last two games. I am hoping that we can get St. Ivany back in there asap to man that 3rd pair right side D. He showed last year he can do it, and Pickering and St. Ivany could form a shut down pair. May take a little time for them to grow into it, but i think they could be special together.
100% agree on the Pickering/St Ivany 3rd pair. PO has done as well as can be expected and probably better than Shea or Graves on that side because he is more mobile than the both of them. You can definitely tell that he is trying but it is difficult for him.
Deal Grizz and strike when the iron is hot if an adequate return is had.
He has been running pp1 a lot and done pretty well overall, so hopefully other teams see that and offer up a pick or younger player for him.
“ The situation, especially with Grzelcyk, has taken a very positive turn. His game has been exemplary for weeks if not a couple of months. He has fit like a glove, and Karlsson’s game has reached peak performance, too.”
They have been so good lately that the Pens actually won 2 of their last 10.
Well, players can play well individually and the team still can lose. That may be the root of the problem here, they aren’t playing as a team. Yes, we know who you blame for that, so you don’t have to say it!😉
Certain players just fit certain systems better than others. POJ is obviously maximized by Sully, whereas Ryan Graves is wasted. There’s a million other examples around the league; remember how Adam Oates killed Ovie’s scoring?
The next wave of analytics will be figuring out how to quantify this.
“Karlssons game has reached peak performance “? Drugs will end you, Dan.