Derek Morris Re-Signs in Phoenix

[caps05]

GLENDALE, ARIZONA -- Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney announced today that the Coyotes have re-signed defenseman Derek Morris to a four-year contract.

“We are very excited to have re-signed Derek to a new four-year contract,” said Maloney. “He is a talented, physical defenseman who will continue to bring leadership to our dressing room.”

Morris, 31, recorded 4-25-29 and 37 penalty minutes (PIM) in 76 games with the Coyotes and the Boston Bruins last season. Morris, who was acquired from Boston for a conditional draft choice in 2011 NHL Entry Draft on Mar. 3, 2010 collected 1-3-4 and 11 PIM in 18 regular season games with the Coyotes. He also registered 1-3-4 and 11 PIM in seven playoff games.

Prior to 2009-10 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.

Morris recorded at least 25 points in each of his first 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.

The native of Edmonton, Alberta has appeared in 869 career NHL games with Calgary, Colorado, Phoenix, the New York Rangers and Boston, recording 80-289-369 and 831 PIM. He has also played in 21 career postseason games and has collected 1-8-9 and 17 PIM. 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.

[lakingsfan19]

Confirmed

[HordiBrusk29]

Good. This was an absolute must after losing Michalek.

[R.Middleton]

I'm definitely happy that Morris is back. Like Hordi said, we had a big hole with Michalek and Vandermeer gone. The Coyotes had to sign at least one dependable defenseman.

[BullyFan]

Dammit.

Thought he'd be a good fit in Philly.

And for just over 2.5 mil a year? Good signing. Like Hordi said, this was a must for Phx.

[lakingsfan19]

Morris was patient as Coyotes dealt with Michalek last 48 hours and now he gets to stay where he wanted to stay

LeBrun

[DaleHunter32]

for the price... it makes perfect sense

caps need someone exactly like this, a defensive defensemen for under 3m per

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by DaleHunter32

for the price... it makes perfect sense

caps need someone exactly like this, a defensive defensemen for under 3m per

I wouldn't exactly call Morris a defensive defenseman.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by blackngold

I wouldn't exactly call Morris a defensive defenseman.

He's become more of that over the years. I think that's a fair assessment to consider him a defensive defenseman.

[JKidd]

Great to see Morris resign in the desert. Its tough to really think of Morris, and not picture him in a Yotes sweater.

Great price for him too.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

He's become more of that over the years. I think that's a fair assessment to consider him a defensive defenseman.

I figured him to be more of an all-around dman while he was in Boston.

[HordiBrusk29]

Originally Posted by blackngold

I figured him to be more of an all-around dman while he was in Boston.

Well he can contribute offensively, although not quite as much as originally expected when he was drafted. He was never quite the same (offensively) after leaving Calgary and Colorado. Either way Morris has been a favorite of mine since his Regina Pats days. I love the price tag on this deal.

[blackngold]

Originally Posted by HordiBrusk29

I love the price tag on this deal.

Definitely.

as a side note:

Former Bruin Derek Morris has signed a four-year, $11 million extension with Phoenix, according to TSN.

The Bruins will now receive a 2011 third-round pick from the Coyotes. When they swapped Morris to Phoenix at the trade deadline, the Bruins acquired a conditional fourth-round pick that would become a third-rounder if the defenseman re-upped with the Coyotes.

[canuck2]

Very solid signing.

[bengino]

i like this signing, good for the Yotes and Morris which wanted to stay there or so i heard