Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph sat at his locker stall on Wednesday after practice, going back and forth with new defensive partner Owen Pickering.
"You've never even heard me sing," Pickering said. "You can't say that I'm not good."
"I don't have to hear you sing to know," Joseph quipped.
Joseph's presence and always-positive demeanor in the locker room is something that is well-known and appreciated by teammates. He smiled when asked about his new defensive partner, saying that it's been fun to see a young guy like Pickering who fits right in, is eager to learn, and brings some energy into the locker room.
And - perhaps - that's because he, too, has spent a lot of time in that same room being in a similar role, dating back to Joseph's first stint in Pittsburgh from 2020-24.
"I feel like I was in the same position a couple years ago here," Joseph said. "Just seeing him coming in and smiling and having fun with the older guys, younger guys, and newer guys... he's been a sponge so far and just wants to improve every day. And he's just a great teammate and a great player out there, so it's fun to have him here."
Dec 29, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman P.O Joseph (73) skates into the offensive zone with the puck ahead of New York Islanders center Casey Cizikas (53) during the first period at PPG Paints Arena. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
© Charles LeClaire - Imagn Images
Even though he technically is a "new guy" this season, Joseph doesn't feel like a new guy. Despite having a new defense partner and a few new teammates, much has felt the same since he was brought back to Pittsburgh via trade from the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 18, which came less than six months after he was non-tendered as a restricted free agent by the Penguins over the summer.
He has felt good in those eight games since the trade, and the adjustment period for him has been short and sweet since he was already familiar with the team and its system. And he - by no means - anticipated ever coming back to the Penguins, but he's glad he did.
"I didn't expect to come back at all," Joseph said. "But coming back and seeing the old guys, it's fun. I feel like I never left. It feels like it was two weeks ago, and I'm right back here. There's so many people that went through this organization before me that I've had the chance to meet, just great hall-of-famers and good personalities that I've had the chance to play with... it's like coming back home for me."
It certainly helps a player fit in and feel at home in a locker room when they already have so much familiarity - and many strong relationships - with the guys in it. This is particularly true with his landlord and "like-a-sibling" Kris Letang, who he has grown close with over the years.
Joseph did get the chance to play with his brother, Mathieu, in St. Louis - an experience that he said was "one for the memory books" - and he sees some of the same qualities in Letang as he does in his actual brother.
"It's been the same thing all over again," Joseph said of Letang. "It feels like we missed each other a lot. It's good to be back with each other, and I feel like we need each other from time to time. So, it's just fun to have, 'like my sibling,' I guess... every day."
