With his recent play at the does-anyone-watch-this? Spengler Cup over in Davos, Switzerland, veteran goalie Curtis Joseph is suddenly resurfacing in rumors about a few NHL teams being interested in his services. Joseph wanted to use the Spengler Cup as a springboard back to the NHL, and it may just work.According to reports from TSN, 40 year old goaltender Curtis Joseph will likely make his decision this weekend on where he'd like to be when he rejoins the NHL.
It's come down to two teams: Calgary and San Jose. Both these franchises have strong starting goalies, yet lack quality backups, so they're very interested in acquiring the veteran.
Why Calgary? Well, can you name Calgary's backup netminder without having to look it up? Exactly. However, as The Bleacher Report duly points out, Joseph and Calgary coach Mike Keenan don't have the best history together. Is Joseph willing to put behind the past for a backup job? Has enough time passed?
As for San Jose? Well, Evgeni Nabokov has started EVERY SINGLE GAME this season so far, and it's obvious the Sharks are afraid to play anyone else. At least a veteran like Joseph would have the confidence of coach Ron Wilson.
Now, I noted last September, Curtis Joseph is and was well past his expiry date.
Last season, CuJo had a rotten 89.3SV%, well below the league average (90.5%), and has gotten steadily worse each season. Only six goalies with 30+ games played last season has worse numbers than CuJo, and the old dog is not going to get any better. Why bring him in as an expensive backup when you can get a willing, and younger, backup for the league minimum?
His 89.3SV% would put him right in the same spot in the rankings (near the basement), which makes you wonder why a team would even bother signing him as a backup in the first place. Oh, you'll wonder, that is, until you look at those anonymous backup goalies the Sharks and Flames have been playing, and realize that, sadly, CuJo is an upgrade.
Looks like this old dog may have one last trick. It certainly won't make the Sharks and Flames much better to sign the guy, but it'll at least give them a chance to rest their #1 goaltenders more than once every three months.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph won't be an expensive backup. He was making nothing in Phoenix, at this point he'd likely sign for league minimum just to play again. I figured Tampa Bay would have been a better place for him since he'd have a legitimate shot at beating out Holmquist and Ramo for the number 1 job (then again given their play even I have a legit shot at taking their jobs). I suppose he probably wants to play for a team that is a playoff contender though. I'd like to see him land in Calgary. Maybe having a real option at backup would get Kip to wake up already.
Note: Keenan personally called Joseph last week to let him know all their problems could be left in the past if he came to the Flames.
Have you seen kipper's numbers?
I sincerely doubt cujo would even be a downgrade from the 8 milllion dollar man himself, the way miikka's been playing this year.
As much as I like Cujo, I wonder how much his personal popularity fuels these rumours. I'm suspicious that his being well-liked by media members (particularly the broadcast types) helps to create positive buzz on his behalf...