Ducks Sign Brendan Morrison to One-Year Contract

[detroit4life]

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks announced today that the National Hockey League (NHL) club has signed center Brendan Morrison to a one-year contract.

“Brendan Morrison is a solid veteran with excellent foot speed,” said Ducks Executive Vice President/General Manager Brian Burke. “He’s an intelligent hockey player and is a tremendous addition to our top six forward group.”

Morrison, 32 (8/15/75), appeared in 39 contests with the Vancouver Canucks in 2007-08, collecting 9-16=25 points with 18 penalty minutes (PIM). He was sidelined for 43 games due to wrist and knee injuries. Morrison has played in all 82 regular season contests in six of the last seven NHL campaigns, appearing in 542 consecutive games from 2000 to 2007. He was the active NHL “Iron Man” up until Dec. 10, 2007 when he missed 38 games with a wrist injury. In addition, Morrison became the all-time Canucks “Iron Man” on Feb. 22, 2007 at Los Angeles, setting a new record with 483 consecutive games played with Vancouver.

A native of Pitt Meadows, British Columbia, Morrison has appeared in 674 career NHL contests, registering 159-315=474 points with 352 PIM. He played in his first full NHL season with New Jersey in 1998-99, finishing second among league rookies in both assists and points. The 5-11, 181-pound center established career highs in goals (25), assists (46) and points (71) during the 2002-03 season. A lifetime plus-52 player, Morrison has earned a plus-rating in seven of his 11 NHL seasons. He was among the Canucks top-four scorers in five of the last seven seasons. In 53 career postseason contests, Morrison has earned 8-20=28 points with 38 PIM, reaching the Western Conference Semifinals with the Canucks in 2003 and 2007.

A collegiate standout, Morrison attended the University of Michigan for four seasons, winning the NCAA Championship with the Wolverines in 1996, while also being named the Championship Tournament’s Most Valuable Player. He is a three-time Hobey Baker finalist, winning the award as the top collegiate hockey player for the 1996-97 season. Morrison also earned the Central Collegiate Hockey Association’s (CCHA) Player of the Year award for the 1996-97 season.

Morrison was originally selected by New Jersey in the second round (39th overall) of the 1993 NHL Entry Draft. He was acquired by Vancouver with Denis Pederson from New Jersey in exchange for Alexander Mogilny on March 14, 2000.

[BROKEN*ORBITAL]

He's a center not a winger.

I guess after the Bertuzzi buyout there was an opening on the Ducks in the Vancouver re-hash department. I wonder how much loot Burke put in his wallet?

[Odjick29]

haha, he's a center! damaged goods as well...good defensive guy, has no finish whatsoever, good speed, but overrated

[detroit4life]

Originally Posted by BROKEN*ORBITAL

He's a center not a winger.

I guess after the Bertuzzi buyout there was an opening on the Ducks in the Vancouver re-hash department. I wonder how much loot Burke put in his wallet?

Lmao, oh man, wtf was I thinkin. Thanks for catchin that.

[canuckfan]

Morrison was a very good and very underrated player for years and years in Vancouver - I disagree with anyone who'd suggest he rode the coat tails of Bertuzzi and Naslund - he was just as important to that line has the other two. Fast, smart, and a terrific passer, Morrison is also very good and responsible defensively. Plus he's an excellent teammate and well liked in the dressing room. He'll do fine in Anahiem.

Unfortunately, speed has always been the most important part of his game, and with major hip, wrist and now knee surgery, Morrison's game has lost a step - but I think its not far of a stretch to call him a decent second line center, and he can help out on the powerplay. But like his linemates Bertuzzi and Naslund, he's just not the player he once was.

I'm going to miss Mo - he was a solid player for the Canucks for a long time and he had a penchant for scoring big goals - I'll always remember that goal he scored in double OT in game 6 against the Flames in '04. I would've liked to see him come back one more year and help fill the leadership void already left by Naslund and Linden, but when he recently turned down the Canucks offer of 1.5 million for one year, the writing was pretty much on the wall.

Good luck in Anahiem, Mo - thanks for all the years of service. Not bad of a return at all for an unmotivated Alex Mogilny back in 2000. Not bad at all.

[DaleHunter32]

just when i thought the nucks offesne couldn't get any worse. They are putting all their eggs in the Sisters basket. Luongo is gonna have to stand on his head and just hope they get to a SO every night

[Isles4life]

Interesting pickup by the Ducks. Morrison's game has trailed off for a variety of reasons, but he'll have some talented players around him in Anaheim, he could be productive for the Ducks.

[SirYohans]

Morrison just might find his offensive touch again as a Duck. I wouldn't be surprised at all. Decent risk IMO.

[FurnaceFace]

good for the ducks. a fresh start for morrison could pay off . Morrison has alot of heart , i truely thought he might end up back with the canucks.

[McDonald19]

Ducks were desperate for a 2nd line center. Morrison was about the best fit for the Ducks on the weak UFA center market.

Now trade Schneider and Marchant then sign Selanne.

Ryan-Getzlaf-Perry
Kunitz-Morrison-Selanne
Moen-Pahlsson-Niedermayer
May/Sutherby-Carter-Parros

Niedermayer-Beauchemin
Pronger-O'Donnell
Huskins-Salcido

[Lead]

I hope he will be better 2nd line center than Weight was.

[TNG]

Perhaps a bit overpayed at $2.75M but at least is just for one season (in case it doesn't work like it happened with Bertuzzi)

[BrianTheAdsFan]

And the Ducks officially make it the 4th team to fly over the cap.

[Lead]

Originally Posted by BrianTheAdsFan

And the Ducks officially make it the 4th team to fly over the cap.

My guess is Burke soon will dump Schneider or Marchant or even both if Selanne comes back.