Joe Corvo Proves You Can Go Home Again, But He Is Not The First
When Joe Corvo suits up for the Senators for the first time, it will mark his official return to an Ottawa Senators’ uniform. With the way he left town, few would have guessed that he would eventually return to grace the confines of Scotiabank Place/Canadian Tire Centre. However, Corvo has a set the bar when it comes to making a return, as prior to signing back in Ottawa, he went to the Hurricanes on 3 different occasions.
Apr 16 2013; Ottawa, ON, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Joe Corvo (77) during warm up prior to game against the Ottawa Senators at Scotiabank Place. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports
Here are some other players who went “home” again, and in many cases the circumstances are almost always different. Corvo wasn’t the first, and won’t be the last player who returns to a former home.
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton Oilers
Mar 5, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Ryan Smyth (94) during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Columbus defeated Edmonton 4-3 in a shootout. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports
First time Oiler from: 1995-96 to 2007-07
Left via: Trade deadline deal to the New York Islanders, made a tearful departure after failing to reach an extension and a minimal separation of a couple hundred thousand dollars.
After Edmonton: He finished the 06-07 season with the Islanders, then signed with the Avalanche. Two years with the Avs followed by a pair in LA with the Kings and then he was dealt back to where he never should have left in the summer of 2011.
Dustin Penner, Anaheim Ducks
Sep 24, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Dustin Penner (17) warms up on the ice before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
First time Duck from: 2005-06 to 2006-07
Left via: After winning a Cup with the Ducks in 2007, Penner was Bryan Bickell before Bryan Bickell existed, and he used a strong playoff run to garner an offer sheet from the Edmonton Oilers for 5 years and over $21M. That contract was considered vastly overpaying and Brian Burke publicly chastised the Oilers and got into a verbal sparring match with Kevin Lowe over offering a player with just over 100 NHL games such a lucrative deal.
After Anaheim: After failing to live up to the contract for 4 unspectacular seasons in Edmonton, he was traded to the Kings, where he continued to flounder with LA, until he had a solid playoff run during the Kings Stanley Cup win in 2012. He signed back in Anaheim as a free agent for the 2013-14 season.
Francois Beauchemin, Anaheim Ducks
May 12, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin (23) moves the puck against the Detroit Red Wings during the third period in game seven of the first round of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
First time Duck From: 2004 to 2009
Left via: Another member of the Ducks’ championship team, Beauchemin hung around a couple more years before signing a lucrative 3 year deal as a free agent deal with the Leafs.
After Anaheim: He fulfilled just a year and a half of that contract before the Leafs sent him back to the Ducks in exchange for Jake Gardiner and what they thought was a salary dump at the time, Joffrey Lupul. The trade worked out for both teams, as Lupul recovered from his chronic back injury to become an all-star, and Gardiner is an up and coming blueliner. Beauchemin was in the conversation for the Norris Trophy last season.
Alex Tanguay, Colorado Avalanche & Calgary Flames
Sep 26, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Colorado Avalanche left wing Alex Tanguay (40) keeps the puck away from Colorado Avalanche left wing Bryan Lerg (20) during the third period at American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Avalanche 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
First time Av from: 1999 to 2006
First time Flame from: 2006 to 2008
After Colorado: Tanguay is another player, like Corvo, who has returned to the same team twice. Traded from Colorado to Calgary, he then went to Montreal. After a year as a Hab and another in Tampa, he re-signed in Calgary in 2010, to a 5 year contract. The circle was complete this off-season when he was dealt, along with Corey Sarich, back to Colorado for David Jones and Shane O’Brien.
Ed Jovanovski, Florida Panthers
January 29, 2013; Tampa FL, USA; Florida Panthers defenseman Ed Jovanovski (55) skates with the puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Times Forum. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1st time Panther from: 1995-1999
After Florida: The former first overall draft pick was a part of the Panther’s miracle run to the finals in 1995. He was dealt to Vancouver in a blockbuster that saw Pavel Bure go the other way. After 6 full seasons in Van City, he went to Phoenix where he played another 5 seasons. In the summer of 2012 he proved you can go home again, and signed a 4 year deal back in South Florida.
Ray Emery, Philadelphia Flyers
Sep 24, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers goalie Ray Emery (29) during a break against the New Jersey Devils in the third period of preseason game at the Wells Fargo Center. The Devils defeated the Flyers, 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
1st time Flyer from: 2009-10
After Philly: The former “bad boy” was a reclamation project for the Flyers after a season of turmoil in the KHL. Emery was good in his first tour of duty in Philly, but it was cut short by a debilitating hip injury that was nearly career-ending. After a stint in Anahim and a solid season as the backup for the Stanly Cup Champion Blackhawks in 2013, he was brought back to Philly as a cheap alternative to the Flyers’ long-time goaltending woes.
Teemu Selanne, Anaheim Ducks
Sep 24, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Teemu Selanne (8) warms up on the ice before the game against the Los Angeles Kings at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
1st time Duck: 1995-96 to 2000-01
After Anaheim: Although he started his career with a Flash in Winnipeg with the original Jets, he made his biggest mark as a Duck. In his first tour of duty he combined with Paul Kariya to form a potent 1-2 punch before he was dealt to San Jose. After a couple of years in San Jose, he joined up again with Kariya and the duo signed for cheap in Colorado in an effort to win a Cup. That experiment didn’t work and coming out of the lockout (2004-05 edition) he was back in Anaheim, where he remains to this day, and will play out his last season in 2013-14. He did get that Cup, in 2007 with the Ducks.