By Joe Haggerty
CSNNE.com Bruins InsiderFollow @hackswithhaggs
BOSTON -- Joe Corvo isnt mincing any words when it comes to the transition in Boston.
The Bruins way of doing things defensively is a little different than anything hes used to, but Corvo is slowly and surely getting adjusted to the Claude Juliens Box-plus-1 system of zone coverage in the D-zone. Corvo had always played more of a man-to-man style of defense in Carolina, Ottawa and Los Angeles, and those instincts will more than likely cause some mistakes.
Im just trying to keep it all out of my head in terms of thinking it out, said Corvo. I just want to play out there and see what happens. If something goes wrong then Ill correct it. But it is a little bit of an adjustment.
Im quick enough to play man-on-man and its one of my tendencies on the ice. But obviously Im going to have to get used to being a little more patient and playing more of a zone. Youre dead in the water if you find yourself thinking your way through it and things seem like theyre going a million miles an hour. You get reps in practice and itll come.
The hope is that Corvos systemic gaffes come during the preseason, and that everything is down pat for the 33-year-old defenseman before the regular season begins against the Flyers next week at TD Garden.
One advantage over Corvos past: Hes got the entire preseason to orient himself to the Bruins personnel and playing style as opposed to parachuting in at the trade deadline as hes done previously.
Its night and day. Obviously I can sit down and watch video, and make mistakes during the preseason and its not going to count, said Corvo. The adjustment period is so much easier.
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For a guy thats only played a single preseason game due to tightness in his groin, Corvo is eager to jump into a little more action this week to get the blood pumping and the adrenaline flowing.
Its good to have them at the end so I can get my pace back and get my speed back, said Corvo. I feel like Im getting pretty close. The timing is perfect because weve got a couple of games. Hopefully I get in at least one of them and then I'll just be ready to go.
Its a strong bet that Corvo will play at least one of the remaining two gamesif not bothand the Bruins coaching staff wants to get a better sense of how the defensemens skills will blend in with Bostons defensemen corps. It was pretty plain to see how much of an upgrade Corvo will provide after watching one single game of the defensemen rapidly carrying the puck up iceand unloading heavy shots on the opposing goaltender.
When Corvo first came in the league he might have been a little bit more high risk, but he's really toned down his game a little bit, said Julien. He knows his strengths and weaknesses. I think he plays within his strengths, and one of the things that we like about him is that he skates well and moves the puck well.
He'll carry it when he has to carry it, he competes hard, he's a battler, he's got a great shot and he'll help our power play. So there are a lot a lot of assets and there's not much for us to complain about this guy.
Joe Haggerty can be reached at jhaggerty@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Joe on Twitter at http:twitter.comHackswithHaggs