Joe Corvo knows what the Canes can do. He was on the ice in October when the Canes dealt the Senators their first loss of the season.

“That’s why I’m excited,” Corvo said. “I know I’m not going to a team that’s in the basement and really has no hopes of improving. They were the first team to come into Ottawa and beat us when we were on fire and they played really well that game, I remember.”

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Back then, Carolina's defense was on top of its game. Since then, it's been the Canes' biggest problem area. Corvo, whose 27 points are twice as much as any Carolina defenseman, is supposed to help fix that.

“I assume I’m going to play some more, get some more time and maybe be a bigger piece of the team’s puzzle,” Corvo said. “That’s how I’m looking at it. I’m excited to be able to help out and not just in a little way — in a big way.”

Corvo’s departure from Ottawa became somewhat controversial, with Senators general manager Bryan Murray announcing that Corvo’s agent requested a trade to an American team for the Chicago-area native.

“I don’t know whether it was the pressure or never having a life away from the building, but he felt that Joe would enjoy going to an American team,” Murray told the Ottawa Sun. “He wanted to play where there was less scrutiny. He just couldn’t handle the pressure here.

“People like to talk hockey here and they live hockey. They don’t talk (hockey) in Raleigh very much. He’ll probably thrive in that environment and I like guys who thrive under pressure.”

(This isn't the first time the Senators have played that somewhat-odd card. Ottawa coach John Paddock has repeatedly mentioned that Martin Gerber flourished in Carolina because "they only have one beat writer.")

Corvo acknowledged that his family didn’t like living in Ottawa and being away from home, but said it had more to do the small-town attitude that surrounded the team and the nature of the criticism.

“It’s hard to understand if you haven’t played in Canada,” Corvo said. “The media here at times can be completely ridiculous, the way they can take some of the stories that are nothing and make something out of them.”

02/11/08 at 18:37
Oh. This all feels and sounds so positive. 'I'll go play in Raleigh because nobody will pester me.' Yay!

02/11/08 at 21:54
Go, Joe, Go! Imagine what sort of character you're welcoming into Raleigh. Here's an overpaid, very average defenseman, too small and timid for today's NHL. He plays on a regular shift and the powerplay and still has amassed merely 6 goals. No one gives away the puck more than Joe. He has rabbit ears and "chokes" whenever he receives bad press clippings (which is nowhere near as often as he deserves). He's taken nearly $5 million dollars from our hockey team and leaves by bad mouthing the management, the media and indeed, the entire city which is among North America's cleanest, safest and fastest growing. Yes, Go Away, Joe! Show Carolina what you really are.

02/11/08 at 23:32
Isn't it cute when Brian Murray gets ahold of a computer?

02/11/08 at 23:32
Don't worry, "Rob," your secret is safe with me!

02/11/08 at 23:55
Murray is obviously trying beat out Lindy Ruff for this years honor of the putz with the least amount of class in the NHL.

In fact, are these Buffalo Sabre fans posing as Ottawa fans, posting on this blog? If real Ottawa fans were posting here I'm sure they would have been commenting on how glad they were to get Cory Stillman rather than wasting time bashing some player who didn't kiss up to them enough.

02/12/08 at 00:52
We may only have one beat writer, but I would take one beat writer over ten beat your players into the dirt writer. It must really sting Murry's satchels to know that Carolina and their fans have tasted Stanley Cup glory in a town full of people who couldn't care less. That must really hurt. Bryan Murray needs to learn to close the deal before he starts trash talking teams and fans via support that have.

Corvo does have a valid point, you know. There are some people who thrive when they have the threat of being lambasted by the media hanging over their heads and there are some players that do not. It has nothing to do with your ability to play in pressure situations and everything to do with being able to look out into the crowd and know that 18+ would much rather you have success than to flaunt your failures at every opportunity. Fans in Carolina love you for what you do not for what you do not. Chalk it up to southern hospitality if you wish. I chalk it up to class.

Welcome aboard, Joe Corvo. Treat us right and we'll do the same.

02/12/08 at 13:02
Everything Bryan Murray said was bang-on, and shouldn't be perceived as classless. Corvo admittedly had a hard time with the fishbowl mentality in Ottawa (true of any Canadian city) and wanted out. Murray gave it to him. And in doing so, made the Sens a MUCH better team. Say what you want about Murray, but he's doing things in Ottawa that Muckler failed to do last year, making trades that matter, and making the team a Cup contender. He did the same thing in Anaheim, having a hand in drafting most of the key players in the Ducks system before Burke took over. I'm sure Bryan Murray could have cared less when the Canes won the Cup.

Corvo's points are valid, agreed, the media here does tend to over-analyze and beat to death stories that aren't exactly front-page-worthy. But it's a business, hockey sells here, and the media has to be a key part of that. Corvo knew what he was getting into when he signed a multi-year deal. Anyways, enjoy "Uh Oh" Joe, Carolina.

PS. You'll love Patrick Eaves. We'll miss him. Tell him to keep his head up....

02/12/08 at 13:15
I live in the Ottawa area.

Ottawa is a great city but it is not for everyone.

I've never been to Raleigh but I'm sure that it is also a great city.

Both Murry & Corvo should not have made those departing comments. They should have shown some mutual respect.

I hope that the trade will be great for both teams.

Canada & Ottawa is crazy about hockey like the US is about football, baseball, basket ball.

So yes, like the US, when it comes to sports that we love, our fans & media can & do go overboard at times.

02/14/08 at 22:36
I'm am not sad to see Corvo go. He was having a better season this year then last. But is still scared to throw a hit or get hit.
It doesn't matter where you play....if you get far enough into the playoffs, you are gonna find yourself in a media circus.
Corvo will deal with the same stuff in Carolina if you guys want to repeat your past success.
I like how josh h post about southern class and then finishes by saying "treat us right and we'll treat you right."
Stillman and Commodore and MUCH welcome here in Ottawa!