TSN: Bruins sign defenseman Derek Morris

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 12:46 AM EDT

Derekmorris_medium

TSN is reporting that the Bruins have signed free agent defenseman Derek Morris to a one-year, $3.3 million contract.

Derek Morris

#53 / Defenseman / New York Rangers

Height: 6-0

Weight: 221

Born: Aug 24, 1978

	G	A	P	+/-	PIM
2008 - Derek Morris	5	15	20	-10	40

The Bruins desperately needed a defenseman who can move the puck. Their achilles heel all last season was moving the puck from their own zone especially against an aggressive forecheck. Hopefully, Morris can help in this area. He is also willing to put himself between the puck and the net. He blocked 128 shots this year (41st in NHL), which would have placed him second on the Bruins behind Dennis Wideman.

$3.3 million seems a bit steep for a guy that only had 20 points last season and is a career minus player, but puck-moving defenseman are at a premium right now.

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Yes, 3.3 mil is a bit steep… but he certainly would have helped in the Carolina series, where Montador and Hnidy couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag with the puck. Morris has also proven to be pretty capable offensively in past seasons—just a question of whether or not he can regain that touch.

I wonder what will happen with Kessel now.

by Killer B's on Jul 25, 2009 1:00 AM EDT reply actions

I don’t mind this signing but I wish they would have traded for Kaberle instead.

www.mma-elite.com

by Brad Ackerson on Jul 25, 2009 2:01 AM EDT reply actions

He's an upgrade over Ward...

But now I’m even more confused about what they have planned for Kessel

by DanTuc27 on Jul 25, 2009 3:00 AM EDT reply actions

I get the feeling there are more deals to come. I was surprised that they moved a D-man, but obviously that was to set-up this signing. Don’t be surprised to see a forward or 2 get moved off the books as well.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Serving of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, I agree with everyone else. 3.3 mil is steep, but we need a skating defenseman.

I’m not worried that we lost Ward at all— he was a pretty good player and all, but I think his mouth gave him more recognition than his in game perfromances. He’s hockey’s version of Kevin Millar (in my opinion)

by delta on Jul 25, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Never really thought about the Kevin Millar comparison, but you are right. Ward isn’t quite as much of an attention-seeking whore as Millar is, but I can see the similarities. I’ll probably miss his radio appearances more than his on-ice presence.

Stanley Cup of Chowder: A Hearty Serving of Hockey in The Hub

by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Jul 25, 2009 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Chiarelli said specifically when he traded Ward that the move was NOT meant to clear cap space for Kessel, but that they were bringing in another defenseman. Yes, the price is high, but that’s the going rate for a puck-moving Dman.

Chiarelli has also said, repeatedly, that they want to retain Kessel and are planning to do so. I don’t think a man of his intelligence is going about this off-season willy-nilly (“hey, let’s sign Morris, then see what happens!”), so I’m pretty sure there are more moves to come.

by CharMM on Jul 25, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

I'm confused.

So was the Ward deal really just for this guy?

by Justin_Bobo on Jul 25, 2009 10:20 AM EDT reply actions

Congrats to timmorrison23 for calling it.

Join me on the Hockey Blog Adventure! (or Twitter.) GO BRUINS! (and Wild!)

by Cornelius Hardenbergh on Jul 25, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

haha thanks for the cred corny…….for my next feat of magic i predict that PC will move Kobasew, and the 2.3 mil he saves there will be put toward signing kessel

by timmorrison23 on Jul 25, 2009 9:22 PM EDT reply actions