Mathieu Joseph tops the Senators’ class in one category

Prior to the launch of the 2023-24 calendar, Pierre Dorion, then general manager of the Ottawa Senators, was doing everything in his power to send Mathieu Joseph elsewhere.

Dorion’s objective was to create space under the salary cap in order to insert Shane Pinto, who was waiting (with bets) for a contract extension. Pinto was eventually suspended for 41 games for illegal betting at the end of October…

Dorion, who is no longer in office, was therefore given a reprieve. In fact, Joseph’s campaign got off to a flying start… and that flying start continues today.

While things are running smoothly in Ottawa, Steve Staios is interim general manager, 71-year-old Jacques Martin is back behind the Sens bench and Brady Tkachuk is performing below expectations in terms of points, Joseph is still playing a primary role within the group.

At the start of the season, fans turned against him because of his $2.95 million salary, which prevented Pinto from getting a contract extension due to the Sens‘ high cap hit.

Today, this guy has 19 points in 25 games, and his plus-12 differential puts him at the top of his team in this category.

Another ridiculously funny stat; Since being acquired – Mathieu Joseph leads the #GoSensGo with a +25!!!

2. Ridly Greig +10
3. Erik Brannstrom +9
4. Vladimir Tarasenko +8
5. Claude Giroux +7
6. Micheal Del Zotto +5

Again, +/- is a throwaway stat but that discrepancy tho pic.twitter.com/LKlCZW5VCA

– Jammy AKA SensBuzz (@SensBuzz) December 27, 2023

Even better, since his acquisition from Tampa Bay, he’s posted the Ontario team’s best differential with a hearty plus-25. Joseph arrives in Ottawa on March 20, 2022.

Imagine if Pierre Dorion and the Sens had paid, as the plan indicated, to get rid of him and he was rolling like that elsewhere… We can see the same result in Washington, when they tried to trade Anthony Mantha with a pick and a salary holdback. Right now, Mantha is on a 30-goal pace (10 in 27 games).

Another argument that the tide can turn suddenly.

In gusto

– Cayden Primeau will be the starting goaltender tomorrow against the Carolina Hurricanes.

#Habs Cayden Primeau will get a second straight start Thursday vs. #CauseChaos

– Priyanta Emrith (@HabsInHighHeels) December 27, 2023

– Reminder: Emil Heineman should be traded to Laval tomorrow.

No. Emil Heineman was not at practice. The Habs should officially trade him to @RocketLaval tomorrow to make room for Harris in the lineup https://t.co/FF2lS7q5kp

– Luc Gelinas (@LucGelinasRDS) December 27, 2023

– The Rocket players were all smiles.

The guys were happy to see each other
The guys were happy to see each other again #GoRocket pic.twitter.com/3ukn7fw66N

– Rocket de Laval (@RocketLaval) December 27, 2023