Young Former First Rounder Could Be The Next Player Traded

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Dawson McKenzie
November 6, 2023 (1:24 PM)

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This young former first-rounder is rumoured to be on the trading block and could be the next player to be traded.

Joseph Could Be the Next Trade For the Penguins

Pierre-Oliver Joseph is one of the Penguins' defensive prospects who could have a huge upside for the team. The former first-rounder played his first full NHL season last year, scoring 5 goals and 16 assists for 21 points. Impressively, he was a plus 8 throughout his 75 games.

Joseph before tonight: Two goals on the season.
Joseph in Anaheim: Two goals TONIGHT!

This season, however, has been different. Joseph has been a healthy scratch in a few of the Penguins' games to start the year.

Dubas to Potentially Trade Joseph?

The scratches could indicate that Joseph doesn't necessarily fit into the roster that Dubas is creating in Pittsburgh. While Joseph would likely garner a nice return for the Pens, it might shake up the locker room a little too much to start the year.

Vinnie Hinostroza has slotted in on the fourth line. Jeff Carter is skating on the extra D pairing with P.O Joseph. Penguins workflow:

Guentzel-Crosby-Rust
Smith-Malkin-Rakell
O'Connor-Eller-Zohorna
Nieto-Acciari-Hinostroza
Graves-Letang
Pettersson-Karlsson
Shea-Ruhwedel

The Penguins are 4-6-0 to start the year, which is nothing to be proud of, but also not something to sell the farm over. Dubas hasn't been shy of making big acquisitions for the Pens in his first year, and Joseph could be the next piece to go.

As seen on The Hockey News - "Young Defender Might Not Be Safe on Penguins"