Hurricanes sign former 1st-round pick to bolster blue line

The Carolina Hurricanes are hoping to defend their Stanley Cup title during the 2026-27 NHL season. Carolina is making a move on Tuesday to help do just that. The Hurricanes are signing defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year deal, the team announced.

Joseph spent this past NHL season with the Vancouver Canucks. While he saw action in just 31 games, the defenseman made a mark. Joseph posted six points on the campaign.

The defenseman will be paid $850,000 for the upcoming season. He has appeared in 225 career NHL games, but also has played in a lot of AHL contests.

“The 27-year-old recorded 64 points (14g, 50a) and 104 penalty minutes in 138 career AHL games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton from 2019-2023,” the Hurricanes said.

Joseph was selected in the first round of the 2017 NHL Draft, by the Arizona Coyotes. He is well-traveled, having played for the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Canucks.

It has been a somewhat tough journey for the defenseman in the NHL so far.

“Unfortunately, and largely due to injuries, it’s been all downhill for Joseph. He spent a few more years with the Penguins; he went non-tendered after the 2023-24 campaign. Joseph quickly signed with the St. Louis Blues, but was traded back to Pittsburgh a few months later for future considerations,” Pro Hockey Rumors reported.

Adding Joseph will give Carolina some depth on the blue line.

“Carolina may be expecting negotiations with (Alexander) Nikishin to last through training camp, and has brought Joseph in as insurance. The Hurricanes didn’t disclose whether it’s a one- or two-way deal with Joseph, but it would at least explain why he signed a guaranteed contract instead of a professional tryout agreement,” Pro Hockey Rumors added.

The Hurricanes start NHL preseason games later in September.

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