Carolina Hurricanes Sign UFA Pierre-Olivier Joseph
The Carolina Hurricanes have added some depth for their blueline with the signing of unrestricted free agent defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph.
The #Canes have signed defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph to a one-year contract ✍️
— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) September 8, 2026
Details » https://t.co/835VQtcLp8 pic.twitter.com/3rkBi1Cfds
It's a one-year deal with an $850,000 cap hit.
It's a bit of a raise for POJ, who signed last summer with the Vancouver Canucks on a minimum-salary $775K deal. He played in 31 games last season as a 7th defenseman in Vancouver, while receiving more than his share of healthy scratches. In all, he recorded six points and a minus-16 rating while averaging 13:18 of ice time in those contests.
Going into his 7th NHL season, Joseph has played 225 regular season games, and has 46 points while averaging 15:06 TOI.
The 27-year-old was a first-round pick (23rd overall) of the Arizona Coyotes in 2017, though he began his NHL career in 2020 with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He spent four years there, and has also suited up for the St. Louis Blues.
The 6’2″ left-shot defenceman has also played 138 career games in the AHL, where he has recorded 64 points.
He also has a Gold Medal on his mantlepiece, having helped Canada to the honors at the 2023 IIHF World Championship.