Curtis Joseph Signing: Cujo Returns with the Calgary Flames

After half a season of being without an NHL contract, Curtis Joseph is once again back where he definitely wants to be—in the NHL, this time with the Flames.

I'm truly happy that he made it back seeing as though he was a favorite of mine in his Edmonton and Toronto days.

At the time, Joseph was an elite goalie on par with the likes of Brodeur and Hasek, and a mainstay on Canada's national team—not easy feat as Canada produces most of the goalies in the league.

If it weren't for a sell-out signing with the Red Wings, which led to his downfall as well as numerous stints in the minors, Joseph probably would still be playing. 

Flames head coach Mike Keenan is certainly hoping Joseph still got it in him. 

If his strong performance in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland, where he won the gold for Canada, is an indication, Joseph has some game left in him.

But why Calgary?

Sources report that he was also considering the Rangers and Maple Leafs. I'm sure a goalie like Joseph is out to challenge for the number one spot and a team with such a renowned goalie as Kiprusoff isn't going to be an easy place to do it.

Neither would New York due to the fact that Henrik Lundqvist is stealing the show almost every night for the Rangers.

But the Leafs have had goalie troubles since Joseph left and are in such a slump that who better than a great goalie to pull them out of it?

Bryzgalov is doing it for Phoenix, and Toronto, with Joseph, has a way better shot at getting back in the playoff picture than the Coyotes with Bryzgalov.

It's possible that Joseph feels hated by the fans and unwelcome back since he deserted the Leafs, but who cares? With Raycroft and Toskala in net, Joseph's bound to get a chance to prove himself again.

After the first wave of boos rain down on him and a few solid games, the fans in Toronto might not forget, but they must forgive.

To Joseph's advantage in Calgary, Kiprusoff has had some shaky games this season and was yanked a number of times.

This might mean Joseph will get a couple of chances to play, but not to be the number one goalie. Calgary will have to go through many dreadful games before Mike Keenan gives up on Kiprusoff.

I wish Joseph the best of luck and really hope he succeeds in reestablishing himself as a force in the NHL.

At 40-years-old, he's nowhere near Hasek's age and probably has two or three more seasons left in him to try and win his first Stanley Cup—I just really hope he gets a chance.