Injured Penguins Defenseman Could Receive Massive Promotion

P.O. Joseph's return may cause a shuffle on the Pittsburgh Penguins blue line.

The Pittsburgh Penguins began the season with a clear picture of their top four defensemen. Incumbents Marcus Pettersson and Kris Letang had few question marks surrounding them, while Erik Karlsson's resume preceded him in Pittsburgh. 

The only question mark surrounding the top of the Penguins blue line was how Ryan Graves would perform alongside Letang on the top pair. The organization had high hopes for Graves, signing him to a six-year contract worth $4.5 million per season.

Unfortunately, he appeared to be on shaky ground from early on. While the Penguins are rightfully remaining patient with the 28-year-old defenseman in his first year with the team, his progress has begun moving in the wrong direction in recent weeks.

That regression has led to Graves moving around the lineup mid-game in recent games. Rookie defensemen John Ludvig and Ryan Shea have seen increased ice time with Letang in those instances, but none of those three combinations have yielded positive results.

Fortunately for the Penguins, another option may become available in the coming week. P.O. Joseph has resumed skating and is currently with the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins of the AHL on a conditioning stint.

Joseph has missed 14 games while recovering from an undisclosed injury and hasn't played since November 4th. The young defenseman hasn't had the best year, becoming a healthy scratch four games into the season.

However, Joseph's underlying numbers remain solid, and his chemistry with Letang on and off the ice makes him a quality candidate to supplant Graves on the top pair. 

This change would alleviate some pressure off Graves' shoulders as he acclimates himself to the Penguins' system. It would also give him a defense partner in John Ludvig, who excels in areas that Graves does not, such as protecting the net front and stepping up on incoming forwards.

Joseph, meanwhile, would be a more sure-handed option next to Letang, reducing the number of turnovers from the top pair and providing a more reliable puck-moving option in the fellow Quebec native.

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