St. Louis Blues Trade Pierre-Olivier Joseph Back to Pittsburgh Penguins
The St. Louis Blues have parted ways with defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph, sending him back to the Pittsburgh Penguins, the team where he spent the last four seasons. The trade, made in exchange for future considerations, separates Joseph from his brother, Mathieu Joseph, after a brief reunion in St. Louis.
A Pre-Holiday Shake-Up
This move comes just before the NHL’s holiday roster freeze, which took effect at 11:59 PM local time on Thursday. Teams will be allowed to resume trades at 12:01 AM on December 28.
Joseph, originally a first-round pick (23rd overall) by the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Draft, began his career with Pittsburgh during the 2020-21 season. He was acquired by the Penguins as part of a trade package that sent Phil Kessel to the Coyotes.
From Promising Rookie to Trade Chip
In his rookie season, Joseph showed flashes of potential, scoring one goal and providing four assists for five points in just 16 games. After a limited appearance the following season, he established himself as an NHL regular in 2022-23, suiting up for 75 games with the Penguins.
This season, Joseph has struggled to make an impact in St. Louis. The 25-year-old appeared in 23 of the Blues’ 33 games, averaging a career-low 13:06 of ice time per game. His most recent outing against the Dallas Stars saw him log fewer than eight minutes on the ice. With just two assists and a -7 rating on the season, Joseph found himself on the outside looking in.
Cap Space and Roster Flexibility for the Blues
Joseph joined the Blues during the offseason, signing a one-year deal worth $950,000. However, his trade frees up additional cap space for St. Louis. According to PuckPedia, the Blues now have approximately $4.39 million in cap space, bolstered further by placing Torey Krug and his $6.5 million cap hit on long-term injured reserve.
The move follows the Blues’ acquisition of defenseman Cam Fowler from the Anaheim Ducks earlier this week, leaving Joseph as the odd man out. His departure also creates roster flexibility for St. Louis as they navigate injuries and lineup adjustments.
A Short-Lived Family Reunion
The trade ends the brief reunion of the Joseph brothers in St. Louis. The Blues acquired Mathieu Joseph from the Ottawa Senators earlier this season, giving the siblings a chance to share the ice for a few months.
After the trade, Mathieu posted a photo of their final dinner together before Pierre-Olivier returned to Pittsburgh.
Back Where It All Began
For Pierre-Olivier Joseph, the move back to Pittsburgh represents a return to familiar territory. Over his career, he has played 170 NHL games, scoring eight goals and 39 points. He also made 138 AHL appearances, all with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
While his time with the Blues was short-lived, Joseph now has an opportunity to reinvigorate his career with the Penguins. As St. Louis looks ahead with an adjusted roster and increased cap flexibility, Pittsburgh gains a defenseman who knows their system and brings valuable NHL experience.
Will this fresh start reignite Joseph’s career in the Steel City? Stay tuned to see how this trade plays out for both sides.
