With only one transaction since July 15, the signing of forward Jayce Hawryluk to a two-way deal, the Hot Summer of Pierre cooled off temporarily. However, early Thursday evening Senators general manager Pierre Dorion avoided an August 1 arbitration date with restricted free agent winger Mathieu Joseph.
The 25-year-old inked a four-year, $11.8 million extension, buying the club two seasons of potential unrestricted free agency.
The breakdown of Joseph’s contract which possesses an average annual value of $2.95M is as follows:
$2.5M 2022-23
$2.7M 2023-24
$3.3M 2024-25
$3.3M 2025-26.
Dorion said in a team release, “Mathieu’s addition made an immediate positive impact as someone who fit in well with our group. He has high-end speed, a nose for the net and is responsible in his own end. He’s long demonstrated good upside and is someone we’re counting on to have another solid season both in 2022-23 and beyond.”
Known for his defensive skills, Mathieu Joseph displayed a flair for offence after arriving in Ottawa in a swap with the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Nick Paul on March 20. In a trade that worked out for both teams, the junior teammate of Senators d-man Thomas Chabot garnered four goals, and eight assists, including his first NHL hat trick in his 11 games with the team.
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The Montreal area resident was thrust into an offensive role when Connor Brown was lost for the remainder of the season due to wrist fractures. Joseph himself missed the final games with injuries to his ribs and sternum.
A speedy versatile player, Joseph is slated to fill the role left behind by Brown who was dealt to the Washington Capitals, likely lining up on the right side of centre Shane Pinto on the Senators de facto third line.
The 2015 120th overall selection averaged 16:50 time on ice per game with Senators, including 1:27 on the penalty kill – the third most among Senators’ players during his short stint. His 56.5 even strength Corsi mark was tops on the team, but again in a short sample size.
But these numbers bode well for Joseph’s future with the club.
One bonus for the Senators and Joseph is his ability to shift up and down the lineup and play in any situation.
He proved himself by fitting in admirably alongside Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris.
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