Around the trade deadline this past March, the Los Angeles Kings and general manager Ken Holland signed forward Mathieu Joseph after his contract was terminated by the St. Louis Blues.
Joseph was brought in to help interim head coach DJ Smith and the Kings' coaching staff fill a depth need with the forward group due to injuries and some roster turnover this past spring. He was a low-risk addition that brought more speed and depth in the bottom six when he was in the roster lineup this past regular season down the stretch.
Mathieu Joseph's performance for the Los Angeles Kings in the 2025-26 season
In 12 games played this past season for the Kings, Joseph was a -2 and didn't record any points. He also played two postseason games for the Kings in the first round vs. the Colorado Avalanche.
Joseph mostly filled a role on the fourth line for the Kings when the team needed to insert him into the roster lineup down the stretch this past regular season. He did bring speed, physicality, and a strong forechecking presence to the Kings' bottom-six group.
For only averaging around 9.5 minutes in average time on the ice per game for the Kings, Joseph made his presence felt in less noticeable, but still important ways on both sides of the ice. He made the gritty plays, including blocking six shots, five takeaways, and 30 hits.
When it was all said and done, Joseph gave the Kings decent two-way minutes and reliability with the fourth-line forward group last season. He didn't hurt the team's play, but he didn't add much of an impact in the offensive zone either.
The Kings didn't bring in Joseph around the trade deadline this past regular season to be a top-six scorer and playmaker. He was added to give the Kings a depth forward with NHL experience under his belt after some roster changes and injuries late in the regular season.
Even though he didn't record a single point in 12 games played for the Kings, Joseph serviceably filled a depth role and played a reliable and responsible defensive game. For a player who didn't cost the Kings really anything to acquire at the trade deadline, Joseph gave the Kings about what they expected this past regular season.
2025-26 Season Grade: C+
In free agency this summer, Joseph signed a one-year contract worth $1 million in base value for the upcoming 2026-27 season with the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings will still face Joseph a few times this upcoming season in the Pacific Division vs. the rival Oilers.
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