The Vancouver Canucks announced they’ve activated depth defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph from the team’s injured reserve. Without a corresponding roster move, Joseph’s activation brings the Canucks to seven defensemen on the active roster and 22 players in total.
Joseph, 26, has missed the last few weeks due to an upper-body injury. He last played on March 2nd against the Dallas Stars, when he suffered his upper-body ailment. Vancouver has largely maintained a roster of only six defensemen during that timespan.
As nice as it will be to have additional depth to conclude a rough 2025-26 campaign, Joseph is likely playing for his next contract with a new team more than he’s playing for the Canucks. A pending restricted free agent, Joseph is a strong non-tender candidate entering the summer, given that Vancouver will likely want an influx of youth as it continues its transitional period.
Even on a rebuilding club, Joseph has largely been treated as a seventh defenseman this season. Despite being relatively healthy, he’s only appeared in 24 games this season, scoring one goal and five points while averaging 13:18 of ice time per game.
Although he’s now eligible to play, Joseph didn’t draw into the lineup tonight against the St. Louis Blues, and it’s not altogether clear how the Canucks will utilize him to finish the season. He doesn’t offer Vancouver any direct improvements on anyone, and he’s not young enough to warrant taking time away from a prospect.