My timing, apparently, was perfect.
"You called right in between two games," Curtis Joseph said Friday.
The NHL's fourth all-time leader in goaltending wins is busier than ever as training camps open around the NHL over the next few days. He's got three sons (ages 15, 13 and 8) all playing AAA hockey in the Toronto area. That's the highest possible level of minor hockey in Ontario, which means the boys inherited some serious genes from the old man.
"I'm so busy right now, it's the beginning of the hockey season for my kids," Joseph told ESPN.com.
He's so busy, the fact he has not signed with an NHL team right now is hardly the end of the world. The 42-year-old hasn't contemplated retirement, but he's also not asking his agent, veteran Don Meehan, to knock on doors for him. He's pretty content right now with his kids; but if the right offer came along over the next few months, he'd be willing to listen.
"I'm not even thinking about it, to be honest," said CuJo. "I train every day like I normally would, I'm keeping that routine, which hopefully I will for years. I'm in transition, I guess."
He doesn't need to think about the "R" word just yet.
"Right, there's no rules on that," said Joseph. "At the same time, I'm not looking, either. I'm just living my life. I don't know really how to put it.
"I don't have to make a decision," added Joseph, whose 454 career wins rank only behind Martin Brodeur, Patrick Roy and Ed Belfour, respectively. "I'm usually a patient guy anyway. I don't know. If the right opportunity came along, obviously I haven't won a Stanley Cup …"
The rebuilding Toronto Maple Leafs didn't offer him a deal after last season ended; no surprise there given their youthful direction. After a tough first half last season while backing up Vesa Toskala, Joseph had some solid outings in the second half.
"The second half of the year was where I wanted to be again," he said. "And I felt fine physically."
He'd likely welcome the chance to join a contender this season, but he also sounds like a man who's very much content with what he's accomplished; if he's played his last NHL game, so be it.
Pierre LeBrun
