Corvo, Peters signed to contracts

Defenseman Joe Corvo is coming back to the Canes and goaltender Justin Peters has been re-signed.

The Canes announced today that Corvo has agreed to a one-year contract that will pay him $2 million and has a no-movement clause.

"I'm obviously super happy to be coming back," Corvo said. "The opportunity was not there (in Boston) but I've always felt very comfortable in Carolina. It's like an old shoe. It's almost like I never left. I really think it's a good fit."

Corvo, 35, completed his ninth NHL season in 2011-12, playing 75 regular-season games with the Boston Bruins. He posted a plus-10 plus/minus rating, while averaging 18:48 of ice time per game.

Corvo played parts of four seasons with the Canes, scoring 11 goals in the 2008-2009 season and 14 goals two seasons later.  Traded by the Canes to the Bruins last July for a fourth-round draft pick in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft, he scored just four times last season, although he did have 21 assists.

"It was a little challenging," Corvo said of playing for Bruins coach Claude Julien. "The coach wanted me to be super defensive and I had to change my whole mindset. It hurt the things I'm good at. It was frustrating that I could not showcase that."

Corvo had several defensive partners while with the Canes but was effective when teamed with Tim Gleason.

"Joe's given us some good time here and he has some chemistry with Gleason," Rutherford said. "So it's a good fit for us from that point of view."

Rutherford said the Canes potentially could have Gleason-Corvo and Joni Pitkanen-Justin Faulk as the top four on the back end. Jay Harrison and Jamie McBain round out the top six, although Ryan Murphy and Bobby Sanguinetti should be pushing to get into the top six in preseason training camp.

"I'm really excited about playing with Tim again," Corvo said. "It should be seamless. We complement each other. He's so good defensively and it gives me the chance to do what I can do."

Peters was signed as the backup to Cam Ward in goal. He received a two-year contract that will pays $525,000 in the NHL and $105,000 in the AHL, with a guarantee of at least $250,000 in 2012-13. He will be paid $550,000 in 2013-14 and will be on a one-way contract.

Peters, 25, split the 2011-12 season between Carolina and the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers. He went 2-3-2 with a 2.48 goals-against average and .931 save percentage for the Hurricanes in 2011-12.

The Canes were in need of a backup goalie after an offseason shoulder injury to Brian Boucher that will sideline the veteran four to six months. Peters was a Group 6 unrestricted free agent.

"The door is open right off the start for him with Boucher being injured," Rutherford said. "He can make a case for himself (and) Boucher doesn't get back in when he's healthy. Kirk (Muller) likes his work ethic, so he fits into what we're doing."