Calgary Flames: Why the Curtis Joseph Signing Makes No Sense

So goalie Curtis Joseph has signed with the Calgary Flames.

My question:

Why are teams interested in acquiring a 40-year-old who's never won anything?

Cujo has never been on a Stanley Cup winner, and has never even reached the Finals. Joseph was credited for leading the underdog Oilers to first-round upset victories in 1997 and 1998—but that was ten years ago.

And when he moved on to the Maple Leafs, Cujo didn't do anything. Last time I checked, the Leafs' Cup drought is still going.

Then he signed with the Red Wings because he wanted to play for a contender. A first-round sweep at the hands of lowly Anaheim in 2003 showed what a money goalie Joseph wasn't—and won't be.

The Maple Leafs were apparently part of the Cujo sweepstakes, according to Bob McCown of Prime Time Sports. And McCown echoed what every hockey fan is wondering:

Why on earth were the Leafs even interested in a 40-year-old?

Yes, Joseph played well playing for Canada in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland. But that's not the NHL.

Cujo's a backup at best—and for the Leafs to even show any interest is laughable.

My other question:

Why Calgary?

The only reason Joseph would come back would be to play for a Cup contender. In Calgary, he'll be reunited with Mike Keenan, who booted him from St. Louis.

So, why the Flames?

Let me be blunt here: If the Flames were to have to rely on Cujo, they'd be in trouble. It would mean No. 1 goalie Miikka Kiprusoff was out extended period of time. Good luck then.

Just ask Wayne Gretzky down in Phoenix. If Cujo still has it, why didn’t No. 99 jump at the chance to re-sign him to play in the desert?

The truth is, Cujo was overrated when he was a No. 1 man in the NHL. Yes, he's won a lot of regular-season games—but I repeat, he has never won a Cup. Never.

The fact that teams are still willing to go get him is just plain dumb.

If it were a Wayne Gretzky or Mark Messier being sought after as a 40-year-old, then it might be a big deal. But for a backup goalie who has never been a winner...

I just have to wonder why it's even on the news.