Morrison Seeks To Respark Career in DC


It is a somewhat surprising move, but Brendan Morrison fits the bill for what the Capitals needed in terms of a viable 2nd line center. Morrison, who has been on the decline since his days in Vancouver(when he played with Markus Naslund and Todd Bertuzzi) may get more than what he's asking for in DC, but if there is anywhere that will fit his style, it's Washington.

Perhaps a better/cheaper alternative than a risky Maxim Afinigenov, Morrison can fight it out with the youngsters and Michael Nylander for the right to center Alexander Semin and Brooks Laich. Defintely something worth fighting for in Morrison's opinion.

Although I am uncertain about the terms of the deal, one thing is certain, this pretty much will bring an end to whatever spending George McPhee will be able to do this summer.


Update: It appears that the deal is 1 year contract worth $1.5 million dollars.


A cheap and possibly effective move, this may be questioned more than not.

I expect that Morrison's speed and puck distribution will fit in nicely between Laich and Semin. It is definitely a project signing, but it's worth the risk for the Capitals considering how much depth they have coming down the pipeline. Worse comes to worse and neither Nylander or Morrison can handle the duties, there are some kids at the development camp(who will also likely get an invite to training camp) who would be more than happy to get their feet wet in the NHL on the Capitals second line.

I still maintain that the lines are in the water when it comes to pending trades, but I also believe that it's a long summer and if you know anything about fishing, you know it takes patience. When that bite comes I am sure McPhee will be alert enough to pull off a deal that will further bolster this Washington lineup for the upcoming season.


Here is the Press Release via the Capitals:



Capitals Sign Center Brendan Morrison

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. In keeping with club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.



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.



Brendan Morrison

Position: Center

Born: August 15, 1975 (Pitt Meadows, British Columbia)

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 181
Shoots: Left

Drafted: New Jersey’s second-round choice, 39th overall, in the 1993 Entry Draft

I will be back when I find out the details of the deal.


In the meantime, good move McPhee or not so good move McPhee?

Sound off.








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