{"id":652706,"date":"2026-08-31T06:54:23","date_gmt":"2026-08-31T06:54:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/652706\/"},"modified":"2026-08-31T06:54:23","modified_gmt":"2026-08-31T06:54:23","slug":"oilers-2026-27-player-previews-mathieu-joseph-the-hockey-writers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/652706\/","title":{"rendered":"Oilers 2026-27 Player Previews: Mathieu Joseph – The Hockey Writers –"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2026-27 season is almost here, so let\u2019s continue our Edmonton Oilers player preview series. The last player we looked at was Zach Hyman<\/a>, and now we turn our attention to one of the newest members of the forward group.<\/p>\n

The Oilers bolstered their depth by signing Mathieu Joseph<\/a> to a one-year, $1 million contract on the first day of free agency. Joseph spent last season between the St. Louis Blues and the Los Angeles Kings, registering two goals and 11 points in 51 games. He missed seven games in January with an elbow injury, and also missed time at the beginning of the season with a lower-body injury.<\/p>\n

The Kings eventually signed him after the Blues terminated his contract, but things didn\u2019t go well. He was held pointless in 12 games and was healthy scratched numerous times<\/a> because of his inconsistent play. He wasn\u2019t a fit in Los Angeles and is looking for a fresh start in Edmonton. Let\u2019s preview his upcoming season.<\/p>\n

Joseph Is Physical & Can Fill a Role<\/p>\n

Joseph will add much-needed grit and physicality to the lineup. In 39 games with the Blues, he had 85 hits, while adding another 30 with the Kings. He had 10.31 hits per 60 minutes with the Blues and 15.41 hits per 60 minutes with the Kings, which ranked third on the team. In comparison, his 115 hits last season would\u2019ve ranked fourth on the Oilers, behind Vasily Podkolzin<\/a>, Trent Frederic, and Darnell Nurse. But Nurse is no longer in Edmonton, so the team needs to replace that physicality elsewhere, and Joseph can be that guy.<\/p>\n

The 29-year-old can get plugged into the lineup and transition seamlessly. If he gets healthy scratched throughout the season, that\u2019s not the end of the world. He can still have an impact in limited minutes. He can also fill a penalty killing role. The Quebec native killed 37:40 with the Blues and scored a shorthanded goal last season. He has spent over 100 minutes shorthanded in four of his eight NHL seasons. He spent just 1:01 shorthanded with the Kings and couldn\u2019t solidify a role. He struggled immensely as a result. Is that a coincidence? He found more success when he was consistently killing penalties, so hopefully head coach Mike Babcock will give him an opportunity on that unit.<\/p>\n

Mathieu Joseph, acquired by STL, is a defence-first middle six winger and penalty killer. #STLBlues<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/bKGgEs2Ofw<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 JFresh (@JFreshHockey) July 2, 2024<\/a> <\/p>\n

Joseph is also a good defensive-minded forward<\/a>. JFreshHockey is a well-known NHL account, and his model ranks the newcomer high in penalty killing and even-strength defence. His penalty killing was ranked in the 95th percentile, while his even-strength defence was ranked 63rd. While this report card was from 2024, it\u2019s still relevant and shows what he can bring to the table.<\/p>\n

Worst Case Scenario<\/p>\n

The worst-case scenario is that Joseph doesn\u2019t earn a roster spot out of training camp and is placed on waivers, where he\u2019ll eventually get claimed by another team.<\/p>\n

However, if he makes the team but is constantly healthy scratched, that\u2019s not good either. If he plays less than 40 games, that\u2019s not ideal. That would likely mean that he\u2019s not contributing. Less than three goals and 10 points would be incredibly underwhelming.<\/p>\n

Best Case Scenario<\/p>\n

The Oilers have a few bottom-six roster spots up for grabs, and Joseph is in the mix<\/a>. The best case scenario is that he makes the team out of training camp and becomes a mainstay in the lineup. He has the tools to be a full-time fourth liner. He\u2019s fast, he\u2019s physical, he\u2019s gritty, and he can chip in on the penalty kill. Hopefully, he can help the bottom six find an identity. If he plays over 60 games with the big club, that\u2019s a huge plus.<\/p>\n

\"MathieuNov 6, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Mathieu Joseph (71) scores a shorthanded goal on Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (1) during the first period at KeyBank Center. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

He won\u2019t light up the score sheet, but if he can score 10 goals and register 20 points, that would be a good season. He\u2019s reached double-digit goals four times in his eight-year career, so accomplishing that is doable. The Oilers need their bottom six to contribute, so if he can provide depth scoring along with his physicality and strong defensive play, the organization is in good shape.<\/p>\n

What should we expect from Joseph this season? Keep following The Hockey Writers<\/a> for all your NHL content throughout the offseason.<\/p>\n

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