Canes Country Exit Analysis: Joe Corvo

by Bob Wage on Jul 7, 2009 3:44 PM EDT in 2008-09 Exit Analysis

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo came to town with a bit of a reputation, and it was not necessarily a good one. The all-knowing Ottawa press dubbed the Illinois native with the non-flattering nickname, "Uh oh, Corvo". But Corvo has been one of Carolina's best shut down defensemen since his arrival in Raleigh.

The Hurricanes traded away popular players in Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman in order to obtain the rights to Corvo, who has always been known to have excellent offensive instincts and a booming shot from the point on the powerplay. (Patrick Eaves was also included in the deal). Carolina was desperate for someone to quarterback the powerplay, but matched the blueliner up with Tim Gleason to create the team's number one pairing on defense as well.

Joe Corvo

#77 / Defenseman / Carolina Hurricanes

Height: 6-0

Weight: 204

Born: Jun 20, 1977

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Joe Corvo	81	14	24	38	-1	18	8	1	6	0	213	6.6

Corvo was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fourth round of the 1997 draft. After three seasons with them, Ottawa outbid the Kings for his services in 2006 and signed him as a free agent. He had a solid season and playoffs for the Sens his first year with the team, but fell out of favor and requested a trade the following season. (Now it seems fashionable to request a trade out of Ottawa).

The Good- Corvo is under-rated for his defensive abilities and has only had one season in the negative, (plus/minus), in his entire career. He does a good job on the powerplay and has an above average shot. He is creative with the puck and has a knack for scoring. Last season he took more shots, (213), than in any other season in his career.

The Bad- The defenseman is usually not very physical and shies away from body contact, sometimes to the point of giving up the puck. He can get daring with his passing and occasionally will get careless and turnover the puck. He can also be moody and will sometimes allow the negative flow of the game to affect his performance.

The Money- Corvo is in the final year of his contract which will pay him $2,750,000. He will be an unrestricted free agent next summer and he will be looking for a big payday. That could be good news for the Canes because he had his best season as a pro before he went on the market in 2005-06 when he had 14 goals, 26 assists, 40 points and finished with a (plus)+16. But the franchise will need to determine if they want to bring back the defenseman at a higher price next year.

_______

Here are the results of our previous exit polls:

Erik Cole - C

Sergei Samsonov - B

Anton Babchuk - B

Jussi Jokinen - B

Chad LaRose - A

Matt Cullen - B

Dennis Seidenberg - B

Eric Staal - B

Rod Brind'Amour - C

Ryan Bayda - B

Niclas Wallin - C

Poll

What grade would you give Joe Corvo for last year's performance?

A

58 votes

B

204 votes

C

22 votes

D

0 votes

F

1 votes

285 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 42 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

(Now it seems fashionable to request a trade out of Ottawa).

Cute. The player/GM relations in the Canadian franchises (OTT, TOR and MON in particular) sure make the Canes’ FA soap opera look like a low-budget yawner.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 7, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions

make the Canes’ FA soap opera look like a low-budget yawner.

Well, being so far under the cap, it kind of IS!

I’d rather have a smartly put together budget team than a collection of overpaid underperformers though.

by Iggy Reilly on Jul 7, 2009 4:44 PM EDT up reply actions

I couldn’t agree more.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 7, 2009 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Trade bait

Hope he has a great year so we can trade him at the deadline. This is only bc we won’t be able to afford him next year and unlike Fla and the J-Bo fiasco, i hope JR has enough sense to get a high price for him. Other than that, he seems to be a head case, Ref the interview with Chris Simpson on Vs. when he looked and talked like somone had kicked his dog really hard. Even the NHL Network guys made comments about that.

by xlwino on Jul 7, 2009 5:00 PM EDT reply actions

headcase? More like a lowkey guy that doesnt like the attention that comes with being a professional athlete. This is something we should appreciate and not demean. Its also the reason he likes playing in a small market like Raleigh where he is treated like a human being.

by Killswitch on Jul 7, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions

headcase

Maybe headcase was a little strong.

by xlwino on Jul 7, 2009 7:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Eh...

If we’re in the playoff hunt, I wouldn’t want to trade him because of signability concerns. You don’t mess with team chemistry like that if you’ve got a chance. We can always trade his negotiating rights.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions

like i said

thats what florida thought as well, didnt work out so well

by xlwino on Jul 9, 2009 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Joe Corvo does not = Jay Bouwmeester.

I see the comparison you are making, but they couldn’t give up on Jay Bo. The fanbase, rightfully so, would’ve crucified the management on FLA for not trying to get that deal done.

They got something out of it too, Leopold.

by Iggy Reilly on Jul 9, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah, you're right

That was a lose lose situation that should’ve been stiched up before this season. you cannot let a guy of that caliber go for Leopold and a 3rd.

by xlwino on Jul 9, 2009 8:31 PM EDT up reply actions

You also might not have the choice...

If he’s reached UFA and he won’t sign with you. You take what you can get.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

thats what i meant

I meant 08-09, summer of 08, then they wouldve known where they stood and wouldve been able to decide something one way or another.

by xlwino on Jul 9, 2009 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that would have been too soon...

particularly for a team that wanted to go on a playoff run. They showed as much with their ticket guarantee. If Bouwmeester had told them at that point he definitely wasn’t signing, they might have considered it, but I didn’t get that indication.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 10, 2009 12:22 AM EDT up reply actions

It worked out fine.

They got something (a top-75 pick and the rights to a pretty good young defenseman they eventually signed) for a UFA who was never going to sign with them. Further, how do you know they were offered anything better at the deadline. They weren’t exactly in the best negotiating position knowing they were selling a rental who they had no chance of hanging on to.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions

just saying it was mishandled, imo

Would they have taken that deal straight up in November with UFA looming? I doubt it. It couldve been if not shouldve been handled before the 08-09 season. theres not a chance we let Ward get to that point, just like Staal didnt get there. Thats why i said it was lose lose, they missed the chance. I think if you shop J-Bo before camp in 08, you get way more than they did, or at least get a feel for market value, then maybe watch the contenders line up on deadline day.

by xlwino on Jul 9, 2009 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

UFA Dmen still available

I posted this just now on the “Time for some Defense” fanpost on the right rail, but I’ll repeat here. Not about Corvo, directly, but these are Mirtle’s ratings of the remaining unsigned UFA D-men wth Seidenberg mentioned more than once (including the title picture).

Several other lesser-priced UFA’s who have been discussed at length here at Canes Country during the last week as potential additions for Rutherford are also compared.

http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/7/7/940501/evaluating-the-remaining-ufas

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 7, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

Here's Mirtle's ranking of the top 10 remaining "defencemen"

1 OSSI VAANANEN
2 PAUL MARA
3 M. DANDENAULT
4 ALEXEI SEMENOV
5 DENNIS SEIDENBERG
6 JAY MCKEE
7 CORY MURPHY
8 M-A BERGERON
9 KEN KLEE
10 CHRISTIAN BACKMAN

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 7, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting that Seids is so high...

Given how low he scores on the statistical metrics that dude presented.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions

He was 4th in the NHL in the postseason in blocked shots (behind three pens, damn them!)

He was 1st on the Canes in the regular season, and 17th in the NHL.

The guy isn’t scared to block a shot that is for sure. THAT is what I will miss about him. Gleason has the huevos, so to speak, to get in front of the shot, but just doesn’t seem to have the same knack for actually absorbing it.

by Iggy Reilly on Jul 9, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, but he was the only player higher than 11th...

who came up a negative in net goals scored when he was on the ice. I’m not claiming he’s no good at all, just that he presents the stats and does his rankings on different bases, apparently.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions

The reason? Seidenberg’s used in a shutdown role, playing often against top opposition. That makes a huge difference in plus-minus type statistics.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jul 15, 2009 12:16 AM EDT up reply actions

B
I wouldn’t mind Corvo sticking around after this year if he works on his mental toughness.

by Caniac1026 on Jul 7, 2009 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

the guys not a headcase

his team was getting beat in the ECF thats pretty important to get upset about.

by sexinitup on Jul 7, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions

i bet in that pic of joe corvo the penguin score a goal

by sexinitup on Jul 7, 2009 7:51 PM EDT reply actions

Pens suck

Still do.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 7, 2009 8:16 PM EDT reply actions

What a loser

still complaining about how the Pens’ “won”?

Oh wait, that’s me.

Studying rots your brain.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 7, 2009 8:17 PM EDT reply actions

You’re back?

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 7, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a respite

from studying.

Test in 5 weeks. It’s getting old.

Nice to see everyone. Glad to here about LaRose. Too bad about Seidenberg. Still hoping that Kaberle gets a little back. Don’t want to go into the RBC center with my Kaberle sweater on and have him lay an egg.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 7, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

I love Joe Corvo, and hope he has a great season… but after watching him workthe points on PP’s and his work in keeping the puck in the offensive zone, I started to realize why he got the name “uh-oh Corvo”

I really do like the guy a lot though. I think he brings a lot to our team. I hope we can find a way to keep him after the up comming season, but I think that will be hard. Especailly because we have to worry about signing Cam.

He will be really good trade bait come the deadline.

I gave him a B.

by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 8, 2009 2:18 AM EDT reply actions

I’m with you, guy. I like Joe and believe he brings something unique to the Canes. When he’s on, he plays with such joy it’s infectious. I think the experience of this post-season and how badly he felt going out in the Pens sweep (the post season exit interview wasn’t much better than the VS intermission interview), I hope (and expect) will be the springboard to him tightening up his inconsistencies and approaching this season with a discipline and energy we haven’t seen from him yet – he’ll take his play to a new level.

Add to that the fact that he’ll be negotiating a new contract next summer and I can’t see how a pro athlete could be more motivated.

I’ll make this prediction: 2009-10 will be Corvo’s career season where he can define himself as a NHL Top-D veteran. If he doesn’t rise to the occasion, his career will be “over” at 33 and he will be relegated to the scrap heap of second tier “fill-ins” for the remainder of his time in the League.

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 8, 2009 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

BTW I am heading out to Utah for a week, and probably wont be online much at all… so I will be keeping my fingers crossed to have some good news about Ruutu when I get back to civilization next week!! =)

by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 8, 2009 2:19 AM EDT reply actions

What part of Utah?

It’s a beautiful state. I love the desert and REAL, aka over 3000m tall, mountains (unlike the “hills” in western NC).

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 8, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions

Oh yeah

I used to live there.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 8, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions

I was born in Utah. I love the state. It really is beautiful.

I’ll bee going to Tooele County. Rush Valley/St.John to be exact. That is where my grandma lived, and my family is from. She passed away on the 4th.

I plan on visiting family, 4-wheeling, mt biking, and hiking all day long, and sleeping out on the porch at night- just like I did as a kid. Its been 5 yrs since Ive been there. Wish I could have made it back sooner.

by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 8, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions

What many "Easterners"

never get is the difference in heat between the dry desert and the humidity here.

I was in the Colorado river in late July. It was about 78F-80F in the river but when I got out and into the wind, even though it was about 120F in the shade, the wind was blowing fast enough and the water was being evaporated so fast, my fingers and toes were turning blue and I was shivering.

I can run in 120F desert air with plenty of water no problem. I can’t run in the 90F – 75% humidity of the south.

Oh yeah, for those reading our banter, Tooele is pronounced “TOO wil la”. I went to Jr. and Sr. High in SLC and got kicked out of the U of U (cried all the way to UC San Diego)

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 8, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, dont dare get caught pronoucing it “Tool-e”!!

Desert heat isnt bad at all. Its almost comforting to me. I lived in Phenoix for a bit as well, and that heat might be a little TOO hot., but still different. I like the heat, but hate humidity… so NC is only nice if your near a pool.

Doing some ww rafting? I am doing and internship next summer in Wyoming leading rafting trips down the Green and Colorado.

by packpigskinfan25 on Jul 8, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

WW Rafting?

Only up to a 3 rating and then I think they were generous with the ratings. But as I didn’t have the gear, and no $$$$$ to purchase it, I was at the whims of the people who had the stuff.

Most of the times it was on 1s and a few 2s.

Haven’t been ww rafting for real in years.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 8, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe Bubba needs to get a deal going with links to Orbitz and the Utah tourism council.. (do they play hockey in Utah?)

Let's go Canes!
Hakkaa Paalle!

by Carolyn Christians on Jul 8, 2009 4:18 PM EDT up reply actions

I saw my first fight, er, hockey game

in Utah. It was the minor league team Utah Golden Eagles.

There are many nice things about Utah. But there are other things, especially when one was raised Catholic, in Utah that make me leary about ever moving there again.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 8, 2009 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions

You sure are a tough customer, man...

There’s nothing that high in the country until you get all the way out to the rockies.

Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.

by MichaelProcton on Jul 9, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes,

nothing like being 10,000ft above Oxygen.

If you ever get there, walk the ridge line that surround Brighton Ski Resort. It’s up Big Cottonwood Canyon. You can go over the saddle into Alta and Snowbird which are at the back of Little Cottonwood Canyon.

There are small lakes/large water holes up there that barely have time to thaw before the ice starts up again it seems. That part of Utah I love.

Knowledge is Power!
Power Corrupts!
Study hard,
Become Evil!

by lcd2you on Jul 9, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions