Capitals Agree to Terms With Brendan Morrison

[Thrillhouse]

ARLINGTON, VA. – The Washington Capitals have signed unrestricted free agent center Brendan Morrison to a one-year contract, vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today.

A 5’11”, 181-pound native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Morrison has had 50-plus points six times, including four 20-goal seasons. He has played 755 career games with four teams – Dallas, Anaheim, Vancouver and New Jersey – spanning 12 NHL seasons. Morrison has 175 goals and 330 assists (505 points) in his NHL career, with career highs in goals (25), assists (46) and points (71) coming in 2002-03 with the Canucks.

Morrison, who will turn 34 on Aug. 15, split last season between Anaheim and Dallas, posting 16 goals and 31 points in 81 games. He had 32 penalty minutes and a +3 rating. Morrison played 542 consecutive NHL games from 2000-07, but was hampered by injuries the past two seasons.

Morrison’s best seasons came as a member of the Canucks, where he amassed 393 points in 543 games from 2000-08 and was among the team’s top five scorers for six years in a row. He has consistently been a plus player, with a career rating of +55, and has 47 power-play goals, seven shorthanded goals and 38 game-winning goals to his credit.

A second-round draft choice of New Jersey in 1993, 39th overall, he earned AHL All-Rookie Team honors as a member of the Devils’ affiliate, the Albany River Rats, when he led them in scoring in 1997-98.

Morrison won the Hobey Baker Award as the nation’s top college player in 1997 (the same award McPhee won as a player at Bowling Green) and led Michigan to the national championship in 1996. He led the nation in scoring three times for the Wolverines, collecting 102 goals and 182 assists (284 points) in 155 games. Morrison was a teammate of recent Capitals signee Mike Knuble for two years at Michigan and again with Linkopings in Sweden in 2004-05.

[DaleHunter32]

Andrew Cassell all over again

$1.5 is a bit pricey

could have probably spent that money a little better, like maybe a defensemen under $1m per since there seems to be 12000 of them the last 3 days

[Purely_Purinton]

Oh man another gritty mean goonshow player to Washington!

This team has quickly become Detroit East.

[caps87]

Originally Posted by DaleHunter32

Andrew Cassell all over again

$1.5 is a bit pricey

exactly.

[caps87]

Originally Posted by Purely_Purinton

Oh man another gritty mean goonshow player to Washington!

This team has quickly become Detroit East.

Without John Erskine, we'd be even softer.

[Cat Smasher]

It's not a head turner, but, to fill spot could be worse. And, what if...

[canuckfan]

Morrison's definitley lost a few steps over the years, but I was under the impression that his play had improved quite a bit by the end of last year. I still think he can play an important role on any hockey team, and he knows how to pass the puck - set him up on the powerplay with the likes of Ovechkin, Semin, Green, and Knuble, and he could still put up some decent numbers. And for just a one year deal, I think thats a pretty decent chance to take on this guy. Good luck in DC, Mo!

[Isles4life]

For one year, I don't think this is a bad signing by the Caps. With the talent that Washington has up front, it might be able to somewhat revive Morrison's career if he gets to play with some of those skilled guys.

[NJDevils17]

It's one year so it's not a big deal. Playing with guys like Ovechkin, Backstrom, and Semin can't hurt either. If it doesn't work out then it's not the end of the world.