One Step at a Time for Joe Corvo
by Bob Wage on Feb 11, 2010 1:14 AM EST
36 comments
Up until November 30th, Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo was cruising right along. His 25 plus average minutes of ice time per game led the team and was also among the highest in the league. His 12 points at the time led all Carolina blueliners.
But all that came to an abrupt end when he got tangled up with Washington Caps' rookie Karl Alzner during an attempted line change. Somehow, Alzner's skate came up and deeply cut Corvo's right calf. The defenseman had to undergo surgery and ended up missing nine weeks of action.
He quietly returned to the lineup in Calgary on February 3 and played over 23 minutes, third most on the team that night.
Now having played in the last four games, he has yet to tally a point but is (+2) and has been averaging over 23 minutes a night for the Canes. But while he is playing a lot, the defenseman says that he is still not at 100%. I spoke with him about his health status on Tuesday.
"It's probably going to be next year until I feel back to normal. These things take a long time to heal. I'm a bit slow, but it's good enough to get by, I feel I can do my job out there. But it's tough to add the extra things right now."
We talked a bit about the possibility that he might be traded and if he thought the injury might affect that situation one way or the other.
"I really have no idea. It's not my job at all to think about that stuff. That's totally up to management. If I get traded, I'll find out when everyone else finds out. Like back in Ottawa, (even though I had asked to be traded a couple of months before), I didn't know it happened until the general manager called me that same day and told me. But like I said, as a player, my focus is really just to get back on the ice and start playing again. I can't think about that other stuff."
Corvo has never been one to mince words in an interview and he was very candid with his responses once again. But the fact that he might not be 100% until next year could severely lower his trade value, or perhaps even eliminate him from the market completely.
Since his contract expires this summer, under normal circumstances the blueliner with the rocket shot would be one of the top "offensive" defenseman available this trade deadline, but now?
Corvo's injury was a serious one and he's done very well with his rehab effort in order to get back on the ice ahead of schedule. Putting aside all the trade conjecture for a moment, the most important thing is that he is feeling healthy enough to play again and is working himself back into shape.
Hopefully, for his sake, he will be back to normal sooner rather than later.
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Do you think this will reduce his value significantly enough for us to be able to re-sign him this off season for a reasonable price too or do you think he may still walk and look for the big bucks?
In all honesty, I think I would prefer it if we re-signed him rather than trade him due to the young and inexperienced players we will most likely be relying on on the blue line next year… plus, generally, I think he’s been a very solid player for us! =D
Sorry webbo, no idea. Perhaps if he does not get the money he’s looking for this offseason, he will sign a one year deal, build up his stats, and try for the big bucks in 2011-12.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Webbo26, on this i too would agree 1000% with BHW here. we,fans, like the players really don’t know until it is done…like other fans, I do hope the canes are able to keep him for at least and 2 years, and his stats do go up as he gets better & better…Joe Corvo is indeed forunate to be up and around as well as he is. many players young & old never fully recover from somethng like this…Be safe and enjoy tonights game…Go Canes !!
If you think you can't, you won't !
Corvo and Trade Value
Corvo’s candid nature is refreshing — even if sometimes his comments can be misconstrued. It does seem likely that Corvo will be traded; but it would be great if his agent and Jim Rutherford could reach an agreement about an extension. I agree with webbo26 that Corvo has been solid for the Hurricanes. There are very, very few defensemen like Glen Wesley who seem never to make a mistake; and like all defensemen, Corvo has had his share of puck-handling errors. Corvo does add speed and skating skills to the defense. Corvo seems to fit well within the Maurice/Francis/Rowe system. It would ironic if Corvo’s injury deflated his trade value and the end result was that Corvo remained at Carolina and won a Stanley Cup here.
Definately would like to see Joe back.............
Puck handling mistakes yes….recovery for those mistakes remarkable. This guy is a major talent. He really helps drive the offense when he is in there. He holds the blue line as well as any player in the league. Every so often he gets caught but he usually finds a way to recover and it rarely costs his team. Knowing Joe is there at the line allows the forwards to really focus on possession and creativity. Add to that equation the right handed power shot from the point and uncanny puck handling ability and, in my opinion you have one of the pieces the Canes need moving forward. If they can get Rod off the cap next year, this guy should be the priority to resign. We have guys to replace Whitney and Cullen. There is no replacing Joe Corvo.
His comments are ……well…..he is no rocket scientist but he has so much upside….just resign this guy. I just wish he would shoot more. To me, he could score 20 goals if he just kept bombing. He is as important to the defense as anyone on the team. Corvo, Gleason, and Pits moving forward. That is your foundation on defense. The young guys will be ready to go with the playing time this year.
One last thing on Joe, how many times do you see him knock a puck out of mid air to cause a turn over or hold possession? Best hand eye on the team…..
I don’t think anyone necessarily wants him to leave, but the fact is he is an unrestricted free agent this offseason. We will be a cap strapped team next year and might not be able to afford him if he decides he is looking for a $3-5 million a year salary. I’d be willing to guess Corvo and JR have talked about how much he is looking to get paid next year. If Corvo gets traded that’s probably a good indication that he is looking for a little more than JR wanted to spend.
I get where you’re coming from and agree with you on what Joe brings to the team. That is exactly why, IMO, I don’t think he will back. Odds are that he’s going to be way too expensive to resign, especially since we will never, ever spend this close to the cap again. He will undoubtedly find a team that is willing to top our offer and we can’t compete with that, especially now that we’ve had some curveballs thrown our way (Cam’s injury for example).
Because of that we definitely have to trade him so that we don’t lose him for nothing in the off season.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Corvo vs. Seidenberg
I read an article in which the Panthers GM went postal on his team after the Panthers lost to the Hurricanes. The article suggested that Seidenberg would be traded. I wonder whether there is a consensus whether Jim Rutherford should sign Seidenberg or Corvo if he has the money to sign one. My take is for comparable money, if I were GM, I would sign Corvo; but opinions probably vary on that question.
I would go with Seidenberg over Corvo because he’s younger and that’s apparently JR’s mantra for the offseason. I also think Corvo would demand more money (both from his end and from the open market) than would Seidenberg anyway making Seids a more attractive deal.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
For the same money you’d be foolish to sign Siedenburg over Corvo. Corvo is an excellent puck mover with a great shot that can play the point on the PP and play 23 minutes a night. Sied is a reputable defensive defensemen. Corvo brings much more to the table for the money.
The problem with the question is that the salary the two will command will be in different ball parks. Seid is in the 2.4 to 4 range. Corvo in the 4.5 to 5.5 range. PMDs cost more. That’s just a fact. A more interesting discussion would be on which is better at what they do.
Greensboro was a black hole.
That was kind of my overall point, but I think it got lost in my other thoughts. Seids is going to command less than Corvo so it would be more likely that JR would go with Seids if he had the choice.
And, this is really hypothetical I know, but I don’t think you’d be foolish to sign Seidenberg over Corvo if you wanted/needed what Seids brought to the game more than what Corvo did.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Don’t get me wrong; I think Corvo is a very good defenseman, but “I” would call him an excellent puck moving defenseman. I think he is an average to slightly above average puck mover, but has a bomb of a shot. His shot is a little on the inaccurate side (like many other Canes), but it is a blast. I wouldn’t mind having Corvo back next season, but I also would mind if he moved on (depending on “if” we can replace him with someone good). I think if he is traded, we will not be resigning him. If he’s not traded and doesn’t ask for Pumpkinhead money, we have a good chance he’ll be in a Canes sweater next year.
Cullen
Sorry guys, way off topic and forgive me if this has been already mentioned.. but supposedly Rutherford hinted in an interview with the Triangle Business Journal that he would move Cullen before the Olympic trade deadline..
As in before tomorrow afternoon at 3pm right? Keep your ears open!
Heard that other places as well. Sounds like he better pack an extra suitcase or two before he heads out for the game tonight.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
That’s gotta be nervewracking as hell for him…and really for his teammates I would imagine. Just knowing that somebody might come down and pull you off the ice during pre-game warmups, etc…
Canes Now just posted something on this exact topic. Here
by hockeymomof2 on Feb 11, 2010 11:39 AM EST up reply actions
Speaking as someone who moved a lot, I would imagine his family probably is having a tough time too.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Right there with you. Since colege I don’t know that I’ve spent more than a year in one place. Stability, where are you??
I hear ya’. Two different high schools, two different elementary schools and almost two different middle schools on my end. You’d just get to the point where you’re comfortable and settled and it would be time to pack again.
It’s got to be especially tough on the wives and kids who are kind of left on their own to deal with the consequences while he’s off playing hockey. Don’t envy them in the least.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
I didn’t hear it myself so this is just hearsay, but apparently on some of the radio discussions there’s been mention that Cullen has already sent his family back to Minnesota in anticipation of a trade.
Sees the world through ruuu-colored glasses...
Sisu
His wife was at the game on Tuesday…. It would make more sense to get everyone moved over the Olympic break….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 11, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
I fully plan on this evening being the last time I see Matt Cullen play as a hurricane… And even if he makes it past tomorrow and to Saturdays game… After Saturday we do not have another home game until after the “for real” trade deadline….
kinda sucks…. but oh well… That’s what happens when the team sucks for the first 3 months of the season….
by Mateos_Canes_Lamp on Feb 11, 2010 12:24 PM EST up reply actions
Cullen’s gonna be a real boon for whatever cup-worthy team grabs him this season. He’s got skill, experience, and plays a total team game.
Corvo will not be traded before the deadline. However if he wants big $ to stay here next year, JR is gonna have to say no thanks. I’d like to keep him but at what price is the question?
Staal + Jussi = GOAL
If he’s going to ask for big money (which JR probably already knows) wouldn’t it make sense for JR to trade him now so there is a return of some sorts?
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
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