Coyotes Sign Ray Whitney, Re-Sign Derek Morris

The Phoenix Coyotes have announced that they have signed left wing Ray Whitney to a two-year contract worth $6 million, which averages out to $3 million per season, and re-signed defenseman Derek Morris to a four-year contract worth $11 million. His deal averages out to $2.75 million per season. These are good, veteran signings for the Coyotes. Whitney brings plenty of goal-scoring depth, decent passing skills, and leadership to the team, while Morris brings plenty of grit and offensive skill to the blueline.

Coyotes Acquire Defenseman Morris from Bruins

In the first move on Trade Deadline Day, the Phoenix Coyotes have acquired defenseman Derek Morris from the Boston Bruins in exchange for a fourth round pick in the 2011 Entry Draft, marking his second stint with the Coyotes. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. In 57 games played with the Bruins this season, he has three goals and 22 assists for 25 points. In 850 career NHL games with the Calgary Flames, Colorado Avalanche, Phoenix Coyotes, New York Rangers, and Boston Bruins, he has 79 goals and 286 assists for 365 points and 820 penalty minutes. Not a bad move for the Coyotes, as Morris will bring plenty of veteran offensive depth to their blueline. Plus, for a fourth round draft pick, he was a good pick-up for a rental player for the playoffs.

Rangers Acquire Defenseman Morris from Coyotes

The New York Rangers made a second big splash at the trade deadline by acquiring defenseman Derek Morris from the Phoenix Coyotes in exchange for defenseman Dmitri Kalinin, left wing Nigel Dawes, and left wing Petr Prucha. Morris requested a trade over the weekend and pulled himself from the Coyotes' lineup to avoid suffering an injury. Morris, who had a no-trade clause, agreed to waive to go to an Eastern Conference team. In 57 games this season, Morris has five goals and seven assists for 12 points and 24 penalty minutes. Kalinin has one goal and 12 assists for 13 points in 58 games. In 28 games this season, Prucha has four goals and five assists for nine points, while Dawes has 10 goals and nine assists for 19 points in 52 games. Morris brings lots of toughness and veteran experience to the Rangers' defense as they attempt to hang onto a playoff spot. Kalinin brings plenty of veteran depth and offensive skill to the Coyotes' blueline despite his struggles this season. Dawes gives the Coyotes a young goal scorer with lots of potential, while Prucha gives them offensive depth on the wing. However, Prucha has struggled since his rookie season and it remains to be seen if he will fit into their future.