Blackhawks Acquire Brendan Morrison from Flames

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced that they have acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly. In 28 games this season with the Flames, Morrison has four goals and seven assists for 11 points. Connelly has five goals and 31 assists for 36 points in 44 games with Rockford of the AHL. He has yet to appear in an NHL game. Not a bad move for the Blackhawks, as Morrison will bring plenty of depth up the middle for the team. He also adds some playmaking and faceoff skills to the forward lines. As for the Flames, they land a defensive asset in Connelly, but he is a long shot to make the team at this time. For now, he will provide plenty of offensive skill to the blueline of their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

Flames Sign Brendan Morrison to One-Year Contract

The Calgary Flames announced today that they have signed center Brendan Morrison to a one-year contract worth $725,000. The signing comes just a day after he was released from his training camp tryout with the Vancouver Canucks after he refused to sign a two-way contract with the team. In 74 games last season with the Washington Capitals, he had 12 goals and 30 assists for 42 points. In 829 career NHL games with New Jersey, Vancouver, Anaheim, Dallas, and Washington, he has 187 goals and 360 assists for 547 points. Not a bad signing for the Flames, as Morrison will bring plenty of offensive depth to the club, as they are already without forwards Matt Stajan, Daymond Langkow, Ales Kotalik, and David Moss because of injuries. Olli Jokinen is also out with a shoulder injury, but may be ready to play in the Flames' season opener on Thursday against Edmonton. Morrison will bring plenty of playmaking and faceoff skills, decent skating, and offensive skill on the power play to the team's forward lines.

Capitals Sign Forward Morrison to One-Year Deal

The Washington Capitals added some offensive depth to their roster last Friday by signing center Brendan Morrison to a one-year contract worth $1.5 million. Morrison appeared in 81 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Dallas Stars after being claimed off waivers by the Stars, scoring 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points. In 755 career games with the Stars, Ducks, New Jersey Devils, and Vancouver Canucks, he has 175 goals and 330 assists for 505 points. This is an okay signing for the Capitals, as Morrison brings some much needed center ice depth to the team. Morrison brings plenty of skill to the team’s power play and is a great face-off man as well as playmaker. With Sergei Fedorov leaving to play in Russia next season and the Capitals looking to rid themselves of Michael Nylander, Morrison will likely be the second line center next season, but could drop to the third line if Nylander remains with the team. Morrison’s offensive production has been in decline for the past few seasons, but perhaps playing alongside the likes of Alex Ovechkin, Alexander Semin, Nicklas Backstrom, Mike Knuble, and Brooks Laich could give him a bit of a jumpstart offensively next season.

Stars Claim Morrison Off Waivers from Ducks

The Dallas Stars added some depth to their offense on Wednesday by claiming center Brendan Morrison off waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Morrison was signed as a free agent by the Ducks last summer, but struggled as the team's second line center all season. In 62 games this season, he has 10 goals and 12 assists for 22 points. The Stars' are currently without Brendan Morrow, Toby Petersen, and Brad Richards on their offense because of injuries and were obviously looking to add depth to their forward ranks. Morrison gives the Stars plenty of veteran and offensive depth to their offense and should fill in nicely until the above players return from injury.

Latest from the NHL Waiver Wire

With the trade deadline almost 24 hours away, several players have been placed on waivers in an effort for their teams to cut some salary. These players will likely have until noon ET tomorrow to clear waivers when waiver wire will come to a close for the 2008-09 season. The list of players currently on waivers include:

Miroslav Satan, RW, Pittsburgh Penguins
Brendan Morrison, C, Anaheim Ducks
Gary Roberts, LW, Tampa Bay Lightning
Martin Gerber, G, Ottawa Senators
Brendan Bell, D, Ottawa Senators
Aaron Voros, LW, New York Rangers
Erik Reitz, D, New York Rangers
Eric Perrin, C, Atlanta Thrashers
Craig Adams, RW, Chicago Blackhawks
Jon Sim, LW, New York Islanders
Lawrence Nycholat, D, Vancouver Canucks (claimed by Calgary Flames on 3/3/2009)

Most of these players are likely on waivers because they have little or no trade value right now. Satan is probably the most marketable player on this list and could be of some use to a team looking to acquire a top-six forward for the playoffs. However, he has had a poor season and has never really clicked well with linemate Sidney Crosby. Perhaps a change of scenery could do Satan some good. The Ducks are looking to free up cap space for returning injured players, so Morrison was the odd man out. Several teams have expressed interest in Roberts, but he will likely have little impact on a playoff team's success. Gerber has been on waivers many times this season and cleared each time, so expect him to clear waivers once again. Bell could be of some interest to teams looking for a depth defenseman. Voros and Reitz were likely waived to make room for Avery. Voros could be of use to teams seeking a physical forward, while Reitz could be of use to anyone looking for a young, physical defenseman. Sim could be of use to a team seeking a depth forward, while Perrin and Adams have played awful this season and will almost certainly go unclaimed.