The Calgary Flames gave a dog his due today. The team announced they have signed 40-year old netminder Curtis "Cujo" Joseph as insurance for Miikka Kiprusoff.
Kiprusoff has started all but one game this season in net for the Flames.
Joseph let general mangers know that he wanted to return to the NHL when he helped Team Canada win gold at the Spengler Cup last month in Switzerland.
Joseph chose Calgary, despite interest from the San Jose Sharks, New York Rangers, and his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. "Cujo" played for the Leafs from 1998-2002 and enjoyed some of his greatest moments as a goalie.
He has also had stops in St. Louis, Detroit, and more recently, Phoenix.
The Coyotes decline to resign Joseph last summer.
The signing of Joseph does raise a few questions for Flame fans such as will the move light a fire under Kiprusoff—who so far is having a sub-par year.
Earlier this season, Kiprusoff was called out by unforgiving bench boss "Iron" Mike Kennan following a Flames loss.
Keenan didn't pull back any punches with the media either—he publicly criticizing his star netminder on Kiprusoff's inconsistent play.
Will we see the Keenan goalie carousel? Everyone knows Iron Mike likes to pull his goalies at an alarming rate. And, by signing Joseph the option is now there.
The Flames currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference with 52 points in 46 games.
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9 months ago
Wow- a big surprise to see Cujo go to the Flames but a good move for him and the team. I would
have thought starving for goalies Pittsburgh or even more so Tampa Bay would have jumped on him
after his performance in the Splanger cup. I suspect Tampa Bay is waiting to check out Halak of Montreal Canadiens. Conklin in Pittsburg is just doing it with smoke and mirrors- he is not that good.
I suspect that Montreal will package Halak( a very good 24 year old) with Ryder to try and get Martin
St.Louis or Brad Richards from Tampa Bay. What does everyone think?????
from 9 months ago
I think Jay Feaster values St. Louis or Richards MUCH more than a Halak/Ryder package. TB is going to ride Ramo for a while and see how he does.
Ramo/St. Louis > Halak/Ryder
Pittsburgh has gotten great backstopping from Conklin, and Fleury is back soon. Tampa has no chance this year and doesn't need a goalie for a hopeless season.
The only other team that made sense for Cujo was San Jose, but I suspect that they might trade for a backup (Halak/Ryder for Marleau maybe?).
9 months ago
I agree about t bay having no chance,but I think LA would have been a better choice for cujo.I think LA should get rid of their GM.It doesnt take a rocket scientist to see LA needs a tender BADLY.It would be a good move if LA traded with Montreal to get Halak.Im not even an la fan but it irritates me that they had opportunities to get a tender and didnt even budge. Then you see all the sports writers and analysts trying to figure out whats wrong with the kings my goodness.Halak/Ryder for marleau I doubt it.ryders having a bad season compared to when he first joined the league.
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