NEWARK, NJThe biggest non-surprise of the Bruins offseason became official on Friday as Peter Chiarelli confirmed that much-maligned defenseman Joe Corvo will not be back with the Bruins.
The veteran defenseman was supposed to help with moving the puck and generating power play points with his big slap shot, but instead Corvo was exposed as a defensive liability with the Bruins. The 34-year-old actually finished second on the Bruins among defensemen with 25 points and finished a plus-10 for the year, but suffered from bad judgment and soft play in the defensive end.
In Claude Juliens system thats something that cant be abided. So the defenseman was scratched at points during the seven game playoff series against the Washington Capitals, and wasnt taking too well to watching games from the press box during long stretches at the end of the regular season.
Dougie Hamilton and Taylor Krug are both candidates to make the team next season if they can put up good training camp performances, and the Bruins may even make a move or two for another defenseman.
It sounded at Bruins breakup day like Corvo wasnt too keen on returning to Boston after a disappointing year with the Bs, and apparently the feeling is most definitely mutual.
We have a few young players that we feel may be ready to contribute at the defenseman position. There may be a player that can fill that spot better, said Chiarelli. Its a number of different things.
Chiarelli told Greg Zanon, Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau that hell touch base with them after free agency on July 1, but didnt give any substantial updates on negotiations with Chris Kelly, Tuukka Rask, or Gregory Campbell after locking up fourth line wing Daniel Paille this week.
Boston Bruins
I havent dismissed the notion of any of those players coming back, said Chiarelli. Wed like to bring as many guys back as we can.
Apparently Corvo is the only one thats been dismissed at this point.