Senators and Mathieu Joseph Avoid Arbitration

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.”

The two-time Stanley Cup winner was elated to avoid an arbitration hearing.

“Very excited, it’s not something you want to go through with a team. It’s not always easy when you go through a negotiation. I thought it was well done. Both parties (Dorion and Joseph’s agent Olivier Fortier) really liked what the other side was saying, so I wouldn’t say it was bad, obviously. For me, avoiding it is great. Definitely happy to be there for four years,” Joseph explained via Zoom availability Friday.

A four-year deal appealed to Joseph.

“I think with all the moves, it’ll be great to see what we can do from year to year. It’s exciting for me. I feel we have a young core. Guys want to grow up together. I’ve always liked that. I saw it with Tampa Bay. I saw it in junior (Saint-Jean) when we were all 16-17 –  we all grew up together. We ended up winning at the end. I think it’s important to have a solid core and I want to be part of that. I really enjoyed the chemistry around the guys when I got there. I think I can become really good friends with all the guys and hopefully do well together.”

Known for his defensive skills, 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.

He also reached NHL seasonal highs in assists (18) and points (30) in 69 games.

Mathieu Joseph (4×2.95m extension with Ottawa) is a strong defensive forward, does not take or draw very many penalties. pic.twitter.com/9kliUpyyka

— Micah Blake McCurdy (@IneffectiveMath) July 28, 2022

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Joseph has high expectations for the 2022-23 campaign.

“Obviously, you have two elite players joining the team at the forward position. There’s also some other talent coming in, “Tal’s,” (goalie Cam Talbot) this offseason. For me, I going to say the same thing I say every year. I’m just going to come out of camp and play as hard as I can every day for my team every year. That’s my first thinking. Expectations are higher for me this year,” said Joseph.

“Wherever the coach puts me, I’m going to help the team win. If I have to play on the third line, second line, whoever they put me with, I’m going to be happy to do it to the best of my abilities.”

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.

Mathieu Joseph (@MathJoseph7) now has 10 points in the last four games played. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/j6I9nKsPTW

— NHL (@NHL) April 8, 2022

The two-time Stanley Cup winner was elated to avoid arbitration.