Stars Sign Morrow to Six-Year Extension

[VodkaFish]

FRISCO, Tex. – Dallas Stars General Manager Doug Armstrong announced today that the club has signed left wing Brenden Morrow to a six-year contract extension worth $24.6 million ($4.1 million per year) through the 2012-2013 season. Morrow’s current contract was set to expire at the conclusion of the 2006-07 season.

“Signing Brenden to a long-term extension was a top priority for this hockey club,” said Armstrong. “We consider him a cornerstone player and an integral part of our team. Brenden is one of our main leaders and sets the tone for the club with his consistent play. He brings a lot of energy and tenacity to the lineup each night and the Dallas Stars are extremely proud to have him here over the next seven seasons.”

Morrow, 27, appeared in 81 games with the Stars last season, recording 23 goals and 42 assists for 65 points with 183 penalty minutes and a +30 rating. He set career-highs in assists and points and was the only player in the NHL last season to register more than 20 goals and over 125 penalty minutes. Among team leaders, he ranked first in plus/minus, fourth in points, fourth in assists and fourth in goals.

During the 2006 playoffs against Colorado, he collected six points (1-5-6) in five games. The 5-11, 205-pound left wing tied for the team lead in playoff assists and points. In 53 career playoff games, Morrow has posted six goals and 18 assists for 24 points.

The Stars’ first round selection (25th overall) in the 1997 NHL Entry Draft, Morrow has appeared in 451 career NHL games (all with Dallas). Over his NHL career, he has tallied 120 goals and 149 assists for 269 points with 758 penalty minutes. Since coming into the league in 1999-00, he has the best plus/minus of any Dallas player (+98) and has never been a “minus” player in a season. He is the only current Dallas player who has registered three straight 20-goal seasons.

“I wanted to stay in Dallas all along and now I can concentrate completely on the ice for this upcoming season,” said Morrow. “I couldn’t be happier and am extremely excited about continuing my career with the Stars for many years.”

[BGDDYKWL]

Wow. That is a ton of money. Don't get me wrong, I like the guy, and he's definitely a good player, but over $4 mil per? He's gonna be 28 and he'd never had 50 points in a season prior to last year. Good to see Dallas lock him up, but this was a bit of an overpayment IMO. If he continues to progress and builds on what he did last season then it isn't bad at all, but that's no guarantee.

[Isles4life]

Great player to have on your team, but I'm gonna have to think that many years at that much money could turn out to be a bust if his offense falls off.

[HordiBrusk29]

Personally I think that's a great deal for both Dallas and Morrow. Smart move to lock him up for several years, IMO.

[duda.radek]

Now Turco, Lehtinen and Morrow have contract for a long time, thats cool for the Stars

[NJDevils17]

good move by the stars. morrow is great offensively and physically.