A select group of Carolina Hurricanes players continued their on-ice work at Raleigh Center Ice in Raleigh, N.C. on Wednesday while representatives from the National Hockey League (NHL) and the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) continued to work on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in New York, N.Y.
Following Monday’s workout, a few more players made appearances the day after the New Year holiday as forward Jordan Staal and defenseman Joe Corvo joined Eric Staal, Anthony Stewart, Cam Ward and New Jersey Devils forward Peter Harrold.
The intensity was high for what a only handful of players can put out, but not what it should be with more present in order to simulate game-like conditions.
Advantage, disadvantage
Asked if he was ready to start the season, if a new CBA was agreed upon relatively soon, Corvo indicated that it would take him some time, not much, to get conditioned for NHL-level play.
“Obviously it will be tougher for guys like us who haven’t been playing in games,” Corvo said.
“The guys who are playing overseas or in the minors will be up to game speed and have their lungs and everything.”
Pumped up
In looking at Corvo, you know the veteran defenseman, who is on his third tour of duty with the Hurricanes, has been working out the whole time, on and off the ice.
“I work out five days a week,” he continued.
He quickly qualified his response to state that working out in the weight room was not comparable to skating regularly on the ice to maintain cardio levels at an NHL level.
“There’s not much you can do (to improve) if you’re not on the ice and playing games every day.”
Let’s drop the puck
Earlier in the week, Eric Staal had indicated that he would need a week of training camp to get back up to NHL-tempo skating pace.
Corvo concurred.
“We would need to start skating five days – every day, maybe taking one day off – to feel like we’re in game shape.”
When asked if additional exhibition games would be needed on top of that, Corvo said he preferred to begin playing as soon as possible.
“I would rather just have a week and start playing games.”
Lord Stanley in mind
Corvo thinks that regardless of how long or short the season is, it would be better than not playing at all.
“Maybe the quality (of play) won’t be up to par for the first couple of weeks, but once everybody gets going and gets their legs – it’ll be fine.”
Being a true NHL player, he has thoughts of winning the Stanley Cup, regardless of how short the season would be.
“It would certainly be fun to get it going like that,” Corvo said.
“To have an opportunity to play half a season and possibly go all the way and win a trophy.”
He and his teammates may just get that chance very soon.
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