Coyotes Acquire Morris From Boston
 

GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a conditional draft choice in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft.

“We are very excited to have brought Derek Morris back to the Coyotes organization,” said Maloney. “Derek is a talented, versatile defenseman who will strengthen our blueline. His leadership and tenacity will be welcomed in our dressing room.”

Morris, 31, has recorded 3-22-25 and 26 penalty minutes (PIM) in 58 games with the Bruins this season. Prior to this season, Morris spent parts of five seasons (2004-2009) as a member of the Coyotes before being traded to the New York Rangers on Mar. 4, 2009 in exchange for Petr Prucha, Nigel Dawes and Dmitri Kalinin. Morris finished the 2008-09 regular season with 5-15-20 and 40 PIM in 75 total games with the Coyotes and Rangers. He also appeared in seven playoff games with the Rangers and collected two assists.

During his tenure with the Coyotes, Morris registered 25-68-93 and 278 PIM in 288 games. He recorded at least 25 points in each of his three full seasons with Phoenix and appeared in all 82 games during the 2006-07 and 2007-08 campaigns. He ranked 2nd on the Coyotes in plus/minus (+8) and average ice time (21:42) during the 2007-08 season while recording 8-17-25. In 2006-07, the 6-foot, 221-pound Morris collected 6-19-25 to rank T-2nd among Coyote defensemen while his 115 PIM marked a career-high. Morris also served as an alternate captain with the Coyotes and was the recipient of the Club’s Man of the Year and Booster Club Awards following the 2007-08 season. He was originally acquired by the Coyotes on Mar. 9, 2004.

The native of Edmonton, Alberta has appeared in 851 career NHL games with Calgary, Colorado, Phoenix, the New York Rangers and Boston, recording 79-286-365 and 820 PIM. He has also played in 14 career postseason games and has collected five assists. During the 2002-03 season, he posted career-highs in goals (11), assists (37) and points (48). Morris, who has also represented Canada in three World Championship tournaments, was originally drafted by Calgary in the first round (13th overall) in the 1996 Entry Draft.

Sounds like the Bruins are dumping Morris' salary in order to complete a bigger deal.

doubt it. phoenix is actually buying for once.

TSN tradecentre reporting it too. I can't believe PHX wanted him back.

Boston just further positioning themselves to bring Aaron Ward back to his rightful home. Careful though Boston we've gotten lots and lots of offers for him we may have to trade him elsewhere if you don't act fast.

They just said on TSN that Boston still might get Hamhuis.

per Mckenzie

Looks like Boston after Torres and Hamhuis/Corvo

Morris was making 3.3 million. Ray Whitney makes 3.5 this year. Looks to me like they're making space to complete a Whitney-for-a-draft-pick deal.

McKenzie reporting the price for Torres is a 1st round pick? That seems waaaay overpriced.

Yeah they want at least a 2nd and a good prospect.

If Andy Sutton can get a 2nd, this is absolutly a ****ty deal for us.



I guess the dominoes are going to start falling now.

The Bruins could afford to give up one of their multiple 2nd round picks along with one of the multiple centers they've drafted over the last 3 years.

Exactly what I said. Morris is worth more than just a lone 4th rounder. Something else has to be coming.

Very good pick up for Phoenix. I can't believe it only took a 4th round pick to acquire him.