During the 2021-22 season, the Tampa Bay Lightning traded Mathieu Joseph and a 2024 fourth-round pick to the Ottawa Senators in exchange for Nick Paul.
Now, two years later, there's a real chance that Joseph will be on the move again. According to insider Bruce Garrioch, the Senators are hoping to move Joseph before the NHL Entry Draft.
Joseph, 27, carries a $2.95 million until the end of the 2025-26 season. While that is not the most expensive of deals, the Senators could use more cap space to improve their roster elsewhere. As a result, it is understandable that they are hoping to move him.
Joseph's trade value has improved, as he had a nice bounce-back season for the Senators in 2023-24. In 72 games, he scored 11 goals and set new career highs with 24 assists and 35 points. In addition, he was impactful with his physicality, recording 105 hits.
Given how solid of a season Joseph had, there should be interest in him around the NHL. He has shown that he can produce well in a middle-six role, and teams are always searching for secondary production.
We will need to wait and see if the former Bolt finds a new home over the next few weeks from here.
