Mathieu Joseph

Joseph generated 11 goals and a career-high 35 points in 72 contests for Ottawa last season. He also set a new personal best with 124 shots on net and was credited with 105 hits. Joseph got off to a great start, collecting five tallies and 11 assists in his first 19 outings, but concluded the campaign with one goal and five helpers in 27 games. He spent most of his playing time alongside Tim Stutzle and Claude Giroux. However, the 27-year-old Joseph will have different linemates and a role further down the depth chart after being dealt to St. Louis in a cost-cutting move. He will likely be a bottom-six forward in 2024-25 but could be worth monitoring for a waiver pickup if he gets a chance to play higher in the lineup.

Joseph's season was wrecked by injury, as a pair of lower-body ailments cost him 26 of Ottawa's 82 regular-season games. His production when healthy was down (three goals, 18 points), but that was the result of an uncharacteristically low 4.5 shooting percentage. For comparison's sake, Joseph's previous low mark in that category was 11.4 percent. He's due some positive regression, but not enough to the point it will make Joseph a playable fantasy option.

Joseph continues to show flashes of potential in the Lightning's bottom six. He notched 12 goals and 19 points in 56 games last season, averaging 10:56 of ice time per contest while shooting a terrific 20.3 percent. In three NHL seasons, the speedy winger owns a 15.3 shooting percentage and he's racked up 258 hits. Despite some roster turnover in Tampa Bay this offseason, Joseph still appears to be limited to a bottom-line position with little-to-no power-play time. However, the 24-year-old could shine if he forces his way up the depth chart in 2021-22.

Joseph didn't find much success at the NHL level last season, posting just seven points in 37 outings a year after he had 26 points in 70 games. The 23-year-old is still very much in the mix for a roster spot heading into 2020-21, as he'll compete with Mitchell Stephens for the fourth-line center job in training camp. Joseph was better with AHL Syracuse last year, recording 21 points in 29 games -- he's likely got a bit more scoring upside than Stephens, who is more of a defensive forward by nature. Head coach Jon Cooper may not hesitate to rotate his two young centers, which will make it tough to roster Joseph in nearly all fantasy formats.

Joseph is on the rise. Instead of getting just a few cups of coffee with the Bolts last season, the speedy winger played 70 games on the team's fourth line. There, Joseph scored 13 goals and added 13 assists, all while producing above-average possession stats. His defensive game is already solid and his zone entry stats were impressive for a rookie. This season, Joseph will pair with young stud Anthony Cirelli on the third line and the sky's the limit from there, especially with J.T. Miller gone. Don't be surprised to see Joseph earning time on a scoring line from time to time. He could surprise with a 20-goal, 45-point season.

Joseph was a bit of revelation in 2017-18. The 2015 fourth-round pick finished his rookie season in the AHL tied for fourth on the list of first-year scorers with Dylan Strome. Granted, Strome played far fewer games, but 53 points (15 goals, 38 assists) were still pretty sweet. Joseph was drafted as a guy who profiled as a third-line agitator. Today, he looks like a guy who'll someday skate on the Bolts' second line and bring his elite hockey IQ and sublime passing to the team's power play. Keep an eye on him. Joseph could get a proverbial cup of coffee at the top level this season, but he will be serious roster threat in a couple seasons.