Senators' Joseph changing the channel on negative talk

OTTAWA – The best training camp stories are often attached to players proving someone wrong.

A guy labeled an "AHLer" aims to show he can move up a level. Or, a prospect is out to show  he’s ready for the show. 

In the case of Mathieu Joseph, here’s a guy who was "traded" in the minds of many before the Ottawa Senators even set up camp a little over a week ago. 

If the team needs to find salary cap room to sign Shane Pinto?

Well, then just trade Joseph. He scored just three times last season after signing a four-year, $11.8-million contract in the summer of 2022. That was on the heels of a flashy start for the speedy winger, who produced 12 points in just 11 games after coming to Ottawa in the trade with Tampa for popular forward Nick Paul. 

Joseph had big skates to fill, considering Paul’s status around here. Senators general manager Pierre Dorion was so impressed, he quickly signed Joseph to that new deal. 

Now 27, Joseph has had to deal with trade rumours along with the obvious need of a bounce-back season from one that was largely disappointing. Injuries limited Joseph to 56 games, and one of the games missed had nothing to do with injury. 

In mid-January, after Joseph had been out with a lower body injury from Dec. 8, the team announced that Joseph was sitting out for a “non-hockey” reason. 

Joseph faced the music, saying he made a mistake, obviously violating a team rule. 

“This is on me, it’s my responsibility,” Joseph said. “I know I can do better, and I will.”

On the ice, it didn’t get much better. With two goals to that point, Joseph scored just once in his final 27 games of the season. There were nights where his ice time dipped as low as nine minutes. 

So, when Joseph was seen flying around the ice in Montreal on Wednesday night, scoring twice in a 4-3 loss to the Canadiens, it was a welcome sight. Sure it was only pre-season. But pre-season hockey matters a lot more than people think. It matters to players trying to win jobs or perhaps out to show their organization they’re worth keeping. 

“For me, it’s just showing up in camp and trying to perform,” Joseph said, after a Group 2 practice session just before noon Thursday. “No matter what happened in the past or whatever, those (things) are out of my control now. You’re trying to focus on the future and how you can get better every day.”

Beyond his other talk about staying with the system and not freelancing so much, Joseph offered that he is trying to bring a positive energy in the room, to influence others in a good way. 

It’s crazy early. There is a lot more Ottawa River water to flow under Ottawa’s recently opened Commanda Bridge before this roster is going to be settled. 

But Joseph is right. He can’t control trade rumours or social media comments. 

He can change the conversation, though, with his play. 

After the Habs game, Joseph told reporters, “I haven’t really heard what they’re saying” about him. And that he was going to focus on his play. Good call. 

Head coach D.J. Smith feels that Joseph is out of his own way, which has made a big difference. 

“I think, you know, when you’re a young guy and you sign a big contract for the first time, then you get in your head with the expectations,” Smith said. 

“Jo’s just playing hockey and that’s what he’s good at. He’s working and he’s playing fast.

“I just think he’s come back and refreshed mentally. And clearly he looks it.”

Joseph said he skated more this summer than he usually does, including 3-on-3 NHL player sessions. He had more “touches” and thinks that has helped him look comfortable in camp. 

“I think it helps you not look at the puck as much,” he said. “We’re all better players when we don’t look at the puck.”

We’ll see where this goes. But for a third-line winger looking for a bounce-back season, Joseph is using his gift of speed to get in on the forecheck and create chances. Isn’t that the recipe for success when it comes to a bottom-six forward?

Tkachuk sits out with deep facial cut

Captain Brady Tkachuk did not skate Wednesday, due to a laceration on his nose and close to the eye – the result of an errant high stick in practice. 

“At first everyone panicked,” Smith said, of the blood spilled, “but it’s just a deep cut, up near the eye but more precautionary than anything. We’re going to keep him off regular practice for a couple of days.” 

New jersey but no timeline for Norris to play

For a second straight day, Josh Norris was in a regular jersey and out of the non-contact yellow one. That doesn’t mean Norris will see action immediately. He will not suit up against the visiting Winnipeg Jets on Friday at the Canadian Tire Centre. 

Norris is coming off his second shoulder surgery and had a “tweak” during a pre-camp skate. Caution was again the word of the day as far as when he might return. 

“I think it’s just a matter of building every day, physically and mentally get myself to a point where I can now play in a game,” Norris said. “I’m progressing there and getting close for sure.”

Norris added that he hoped to play multiple games before the pre-season is over. 

“I’d say hopefully within the next week or so,” Norris said. “I think we have five (games) left, so the plan is for sure to get into at least one or two, and we’ll just go from there.”

Norris said there has been no particular issue or concern other than being cautious. 

“I just want to get off to the right start and feel good about myself,” he said. “My goal is to be on the ice and be there for my teammates and do my job.”

Amen to that. 

 “Josh will play exhibition games before the end and he will be a full go when the season starts,” Smith said.