In the mid-1990s, the Edmonton Oilers were struggling to find their identity after the departure of their dynasty-era stars. The team's trajectory shifted dramatically on August 4, 1995, when General Manager Glen Sather completed a trade with the St. Louis Blues. Sather sent two first-round draft picks to St. Louis in exchange for the rights to goaltender Curtis Joseph and forward Mike Grier. This move was a gamble that ultimately revitalized the team and its connection with the city.

Curtis Joseph, known as "CuJo," brought more than just goaltending skill to Edmonton; he instilled a "battle-first" mentality that resonated throughout the team. According to former Oilers captain Kelly Buchberger, the players deeply respected Joseph, which motivated them to work harder to keep the puck out of their net. Joseph's arrival sparked a cultural shift within the Oilers organization.

The peak moment of this era came during Game 7 of the 1997 playoffs against the Dallas Stars. In overtime, Joseph made a spectacular glove save on Joe Nieuwendyk, a play that has since become legendary in Oilers history. Moments later, Todd Marchant scored the series-winning goal, etching the image of a jubilant head coach Ron Low rushing toward Joseph into Oilers' lore. Joseph himself has spoken about the special atmosphere in Edmonton, where hockey is deeply cherished.

Statistically, Joseph's time in Edmonton was impressive, with 14 regular-season shutouts in just three years. However, his impact extended beyond mere statistics. During a period when the team faced relocation rumors, Joseph provided a sense of hope and proved that even a small-market team could compete with a top-tier goaltender.

The trade that brought Joseph to Edmonton was indirectly connected to another transaction involving Shayne Corson. After the Oilers traded Vincent Damphousse for Corson, Corson's departure to St. Louis for a lucrative offer sheet led to the Oilers receiving the draft picks that were then used to acquire Joseph and Grier. While Corson's tenure in St. Louis was short-lived, the acquisition of Joseph proved to be a masterstroke for the Oilers.

Although the Oilers had initially traded Vincent Damphousse to Montreal for Shayne Corson, a move that didn't pan out as hoped, Sather managed to recover by acquiring Joseph and Grier. This trade helped the Oilers return to the playoffs and achieve memorable upsets in the late 1990s.

Curtis Joseph's impact on the Edmonton Oilers transcended his on-ice performance. He provided hope and a renewed sense of belief during a critical period for the franchise. He helped elevate the Edmonton Oilers back to a level of significance, solidifying his place in the team's history.