Joseph vs Reilly for 7th D Spot | NHL News

0:00It's September 13th. You're listening to NHL News today, AI-powered coverage of your team. I'm Cory with the story. The Carolina Hurricanes recently signed defenseman Pierre Olivier Joseph, and it sparked some chatter. He's not a direct replacement for Alexander Nikkeschen, that's a whole other situation, but Joseph brings a specific skill set to the blue line. His ability to take the puck away from opponents is notable, ranking high among defensemen in the league, even with limited ice time. This makes him a potential fit for that 7th defenseman role, a spot that saw more action last season due to injuries. This signing adds another name to an already crowded defensive depth chart. You got Joseph, Mike Riley, Jessel Valamaki, and some younger prospects like Charles Alexis Legault and Joe Nistrom all vying for a spot. It's a lot of bodies, and Joseph faces stiff competition to secure that extra defenseman position on the main roster. His advantage lies in his versatility, playing both left and right defense, which gives

1:01him an edge over some of the more positioned specific younger. Players who need consistent ice time to develop. When you compare Joseph to Mike Riley, it's not a stray-for comparison. Riley was part of a championship team, while Joseph was on a team at the bottom of the standings. That difference in team quality definitely impacts the stats. Riley's numbers might look slightly better in some areas, but that's on a dominant team. If on the other hand, she'll have a stronger ability to generate takeaways and deliver more physical hits, which are crucial elements for playoff. Hockey. Beyond the physical play, speed and coverage are key factors. Joseph's skating speed and the distance he covers on the ice appear to be superior to Riley's. In a fast-paced system, Mike Carolina's covering more ice and maintaining higher speeds is vital, especially when the team pushes deep into the offensive zone. When you factor in Joseph's flexibility and his ability to cover more ground, the decision to bring him in starts to make more sense. Ultimately, the hurricanes might have some time to make the final call on their seventh

2:05defenseman. With Seth Jarvis recovering from surgery, there's a temporary roster spot that allows them to keep both Joseph and Riley around. This situation breeds competition heading into the season. While the stats lean towards Joseph, how they perform on the ice will be the deciding factor and who earns that final defensive spot.