Cujo needs to realize he's washed up
I hope Curtis Joseph is satisfied being the fifth-best goalie, at least in terms of wins, in NHL history.
Because he's as done as the turkey I served for dinner the other day.
Joseph is 40-years-old, hasn't played since April and is coming off the worst season, statistically, of his career.
For a reason I simply cannot fathom, he thinks he still has enough game to play in the best hockey league in the world.
Instead of calling it quits, though, Joseph has come up with a brilliant plan that will resurrect his NHL career. Play for Team Canada at the Spengler Cup.
Now, before all you Cujo fans get worked up into a lather, I'd like to point out one important thing about the Canadian national team Joseph is playing on in the Swiss Alps. It is made up of has-beens and never-will-bes, thrown together for a tournament no one gives a rat's ass about.
Not exactly the Olympic team, I reckon.
But by playing in the Spengler Cup, Joseph is trying to showcase himself to a league that has turned its back on him.
Cujo would like to get back into the NHL and believes he will prove he can help a team down the stretch.
How, exactly? By beating world-class teams like HC Pardubice and Adler Mannheim?
Oh yeah, that would get my heart racing and my contract-signing hand twitching if I was an NHL general manager.
But, the way I see it is if the Phoenix Coyotes aren't interested, the 24 teams above them in the standings are probably going to pass, too.
I mean, it's so obvious not even Rick Tocchet would bet on Joseph returning to the NHL.
Listen, I'm the first to admit Joseph had a great career. He's fifth all-time in wins with 446, and trails the legendary Terry Sawchuk by one on the list of NHL career leaders.
When he was stopping pucks for the Maple Leafs, I might have been his biggest fan.
But those glory days are long past.
Everybody knows Joseph is done as an NHL player. Everybody but him. Brings to mind the saying, "I'm not crazy, everybody else is."
Here's hoping Joseph will awaken to the reality — he doesn't have the bite to go along with his bark — while off yodeling in Davos.
By playing in the Spengler Cup, Cujo is sitting like an unwanted puppy at the pound, wagging his tail at every team that stops by his cage.
This dog still has some bite
Posted by: Marty Henwood
Somehow, Dave, it's only fitting that your Curtis Joseph argument reaches its pinnacle with a reference to general managers and puppies.
After what I just read, you may want to give those GMs a heads-up. Advise them to bring scoopers with them to clean up that mess you just made.
Tell me you're still not into the rum and egg nog, Dave.
Christmas has come and gone.
Gee, I wonder if there is a team in the league who wouldn't benefit from the goalie who ranks fifth in career wins, one back of the legendary Terry Sawchuk for fourth spot.
Roy, Brodeur, Belfour and Sawchuk are the only four names above Joseph's on the all-time win list.
I know, I'll go easy on you seeing you've probably never heard of them. Trust me when I say that is some pretty elite company.
When it comes to those who should be looking for a little veteran goaltending help, a few teams come to mind.
Pittsburgh, Carolina, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Washington, Edmonton, Los Angeles and, gasp, even Toronto would be better off having Joseph, if nothing else, in a backup role for the league minimum salary.
Hey, there could dumber ways to spend your money.
Yes, I know, Curtis has already blown out 40 candles on his birthday cake but age is just a number, isn't it?
No GM worth his salt would bring Joseph in to be the go-to guy, although he managed to get in 55 games with the Coyotes last year. But besides, say, Brodeur or Hasek, is there a better mentor for a young goalie than Joseph?
Highly doubtful.
Yes, Joseph's best days are behind him. As are Hasek's, Brodeur's and Chris Osgood's, who just happens to lead the NHL in goals-against average.
For what it's worth, Dave - and I know math is not your strong suit - Brodeur and Osgood were both born in '72, which makes them 35.
Hasek is 42.
Think there is a place in this league for any of them?
Of course, it is easy to say Joseph showed his decline last season when he went 18-31-2 on a horrible Coyotes team, only his third sub-.500 season in a 17-year-career.
Just as it would be easy to say he managed four shutouts on the second-worst team in hockey.
Sure, Joseph is in the twilight of his career but he should be allowed to go out when he feels it is time.
Obviously, Joseph is not ready to admit it's time just yet.