Brendan Morrison Stat Dump
by J.P. on Jul 10, 2009 5:31 PM EDT
75 comments
Brendan Morrison
#? / Center / Washington Capitals
5-11
181
Aug 15, 1975
Left
39th overall, 1993
$1.5m cap hit; UFA after 2009-10 season
Career Regular Season Stats:
Career Playoff Stats:
Most Frequent Even Strength Linemates, 2008-09:
- Todd Marchant, Teemu Selanne (473 occurrences)
- Andrew Ebbett, Bobby Ryan (376)
- Chris Kunitz, Teemu Selanne (350)
- Ryan Carter, Teemu Selanne (247)
- Loui Eriksson, Tom Wandell (131)
- Mike Modano, James Neal (122)
Look for more stats in this post a bit later...
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Not a bad move. Cheap but it means the other Mo’ gotta go or he signs for super cheap.
by vt caps fan on Jul 10, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The team doesn’t need to move Mo or get him to take a pay cut, but I’d be surprised if they can keep both Jurcina and Morrisonn.
by David M. Getz on Jul 10, 2009 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And frankly, there’s not enough room for them on the roster. Having 8 healthy dmen (excluding Carlson and Sloan/Collins) just doesn’t make sense.
by alexthe8 on Jul 10, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Between those two options, I vote we keep Juice.
by urhockey22 on Jul 10, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus I’m thinking Mo fetches more in a trade because of great skating.
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 2:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kind of like the move, particularly at the price and the one year part. However, his numbers are earily simlilar to those of Jeff Friesen before he arrived in DC. Hopefully, he’s a little more durable.
by b.orr4 on Jul 10, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Given: Morrison’s point totals should pluck up nicely playing with this team.
Loosely related: he will probably end up with higher value contracts overall with a 2+ deal with any team after 1 season with these Caps.
Possible Future: With a little bit of Caps history luck he will have a career season, demand big money, we’ll turn him loose and some other team will get stuck with an overpriced underperformer when he should just be happy here playing for a Cup til we promote from within.
by Icebat on Jul 10, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Player Number...
Nothing from the Caps yet, but he wore #9 in New Jersey, and that number is available. I am assuming Knuble will get #22 as that’s available here as it was in Philly.
Let's go Caps!
by MikeL-Caps on Jul 10, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Ah, I was #22 in college. Memories . . .
by urhockey22 on Jul 10, 2009 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he’s fully healthy, I’m cool with this.
Rockin' the Red in Section 412
by boutros23 on Jul 10, 2009 6:53 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Morrisonn/Morrison are the new Zimmermann/Zimmerman
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Jul 10, 2009 7:10 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
ummm duh?
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Jul 11, 2009 1:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Except for the Nats one is a franchise player, an all-star, and one of the top 3rd-baseman in the Majors.
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 2:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It wasn’t really an extended comparison
"And next year it will be ours."
by Ovechwin on Jul 11, 2009 2:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
What about A. Gordon / B. Gordon?
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 11, 2009 7:40 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So shall we call him
B Mo?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 10, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
or B Mor?
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 10, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s like calling him Baltimore, isn’t it?
by letsgocaps on Jul 10, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wouldn’t want to embarrass him with a nickname like that
by wittcap79 on Jul 10, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hey now! I am a very happy resident of B-Mor. One of the reasons I suggested it. What better way to expand the caps fanbase! :-)
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 10, 2009 8:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
should read B-More. It would be very weird if I was a very happy resident of Brendan Morrison…..
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 10, 2009 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh daang, that would be very strange.
I say we just stick with BMo because we’ll be calling the other Morrisonn ShaMo, and I don’t know about the whole rhyming thing with BraMo and ShaMo. People might get confused which is which. We don’t want to turn into the Nationals with their endless amount of errors on everything.
And I like Baltimore too because I’ve been an Orioles fan since forever.
by letsgocaps on Jul 10, 2009 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I feel capable of separating fandom of a team with the actual “like or dislike” of a city. Im a MDer who doesn’t like Baltimore, so sue me. ;)
by wittcap79 on Jul 11, 2009 11:35 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
BMo works for me.
I dunno. It seems okay on the surface, and sure, a 1 year / $1.5mil contract isn’t enough to land anyone in serious trouble no matter what happens. It makes it look all the more likely that they’ll either deal ShaMo or let Juice walk, and the one-year signing is a very clear signal that BMo had better sing for his supper this season if he wants another one, or that GMGM expects to have one of his up-and-coming centers ready next season.
I still have a nagging voice with absolutely no evidence behind it that this isn’t going to be all that. It’s pure hunch. Guess we’ll see. I’m pretty lukewarm about this signing. At least GMGM had better sense than to sign for more than one year.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed about GMGM only signing him to one year. Over at PD, it says none of the teams he was negotiating with were willing to give him more than a year.
by letsgocaps on Jul 10, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Given his last couple of years, I wouldn’t either.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But still, it’s a relatively good deal for him in the sense that he’s playing with some of the very best offense the league has to offer. If that doesn’t pad his stat line, he’s in trouble.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Again, agreed. We had, what, five 20 goal scorers/50+ pt getters? That should definitely do something to his recently declining production. I mean, he did have 6 straight seasons with 50+ points (excluding the lockout when he was in the SEL). It the guy’s as healthy as he’s saying he is and gets the 2nd line c job, it should be a pretty good year for him.
by letsgocaps on Jul 10, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a similar hunch but it’s hard to be too down on this. BMo has everything in the world to play for and wanted to come to DC to reestablish himself. Even if he doesn’t work out to be the #2C, the Caps needed depth at center and this should provide it.
I will be upset if this requires the Caps to move ShaMo (they will miss him if they do – he’s at least the 4th best defenseman on the roster right now and is 3rd best IMO), but otherwise I think it’s probably the best move available. I have no idea what it means for Nylander though, other than that he might as well go to Omsk if he wants to play because he’s never going to get another chance with the Caps.
by grapejoos on Jul 10, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either ShaMo or Jurcina is gone, most likely, and it’s not impossible that GMGM tries to move them both.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who has seen him enough to know if he will fit well in our system? Everyone is talking about numbers…but that is only part of the story.
Nyander, the year before he got here the 2nd time, had good numbers, but he just didn’t fit in the system after the coaching change.
If we are looking at him as a 2nd line center, which we probably all hope he will play well enough to be, we have to look at the line he will most likely be centering.
Flash/Morrison/Semin. We aren’t exactly talking about a puck control, dominate one side of the ice line there. Which is exactly why Nylander didn’t fit. Does Morrison have the speed, quick offensive thinking and moves, to center this line? Does he have the chops to constantly be up and down the entire sheet of ice with this line? It’s great that he is defensively liable, he will need it on that line, but he has to be able to transition quickly to an all out offensive assault too.
by HateOffSeason on Jul 10, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Who has seen him enough to know if he will fit well in our system? Everyone is talking about numbers…but that is only part of the story.
I feel similar in the fact that it seems like this guy has played most of his career on the other side of the universe (out on the west coast). Don’t know much about him at all; it seems decent on paper.
by bigmac1124 on Jul 10, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is a good question:
Does Morrison have the speed, quick offensive thinking and moves, to center this line? Does he have the chops to constantly be up and down the entire sheet of ice with this line?
Here’s the sportsnet.ca scouting report on Morrison:
Assets
Is an excellent skater and playmaker. Has racked up points at every level. Is an important player on special teams and a decent face-off man.
Flaws
Usually avoids heavy traffic areas, since he’s smallish in stature and not physical. Lacks the offensive consistency to play a first-line role.
Career potential
Versatile forward.
(A potentially undersized center? Makes me wonder why Montreal didn’t sign him…)
Puck Daddy quotes him saying:
• About that health: Morrison had four surgeries in the last three years after playing 82 games for six straight seasons. He’s had work done on his wrist, knee, hip and on a sports hernia. He said last season’s stats decline was more than partially due to his health: “My legs didn’t start coming around until the three-quarter mark of the season. My skating’s always been an asset, but I was having trouble getting to places and challenging guys.”
If he’s healthy and his legs are back to what they once were, he can keep up with Semin and Flash. But that’s one hell of an “if.”
by Gould Old Days on Jul 10, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not as if Flash and Semin skate straight lines all the time.
And Semin can dominate on one side of the ice on his own, thank McPhee very much, when healthy. How many stickhandling clinics does he need to put on for people to realize that?
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 2:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Who has seen him enough to know if he will fit well in our system? Everyone is talking about numbers…but that is only part of the story.
Nyander, the year before he got here the 2nd time, had good numbers, but he just didn’t fit in the system after the coaching change.
Presumably George, Bruce, et. al. have seen him enough to feel good about him playing the current system, and if he doesn’t fit in after a mid-season coaching change, obviously the Caps have much bigger problems than Brendan Morrison.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 10, 2009 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Morrison was great to watch in his heyday with the Canucks … he’s a phenomenal skater, but is small and has really struggled with injuries. If he’s healthy, he should be fine for like 55 points in a second-line role.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Jul 10, 2009 10:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So only marginally better than Brooks Laich?
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 2:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sergei Fedorov: 52 games, 11 goals, 22 assists, 33 points in 2008/2009
I’ll take the 55 points…
by Gould Old Days on Jul 11, 2009 2:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll take the defensively responsible part.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 11, 2009 6:23 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec’d
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 11, 2009 7:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Did Sergei save the Caps 25 goals with his defensive responsibility? I agree with your point, but at some point that balance tips the other way.
by Sct112 on Jul 11, 2009 9:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Depends, is that 25 goals gross or net (less the time spent in the box/team on the PK?)
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 11, 2009 10:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably not given how many lazy penalties he took, hurting the team.
by brs03 on Jul 11, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But would Morrison have wired a wrister into the top corner past Lundqvist? Don’t get me wrong, I think Morrison is better than both Laich and Fedorov as #2 center, but I don’t think Morrison should cakewalk into the spot like Backstrom will into his. And I’d have liked to keep Fedorov around as a 4th liner.
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe I should rephrase what I meant: How big of an upgrade is Morrison to his replacement already in the organization, and was it worth an extra $1.5 million eaten in cap room that will require some juggling?
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was in favor of giving Nylander another chance (since he fit into BB’s system well enough to play for the first month, and that on 2 broken shoulders) and then deciding on Nylander, Laich, or a deadline acquisition using Morrisonn, Jurcina, and maybe even Semin as trade bait.
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So while excited about this signing, I don’t think it’s worth it being so close to the cap.
Though I have a nagging feeling that BMo will go for 25+ goals, 70+ points and have me eating my words, being heralded as the best FA period move this year.
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Like you I had (have?) no problems with Nylander up there. And despite the public comments, like J.P., Laich/Aucoin as a 2C just wasn’t doing it for me. Morrison brings to the table both the distribution potential of someone in the position and a guy who’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, neither of which are bad things.
"Yes, It is a 'Beautiful Game.' It's because we see something meaningful that we hope to someday, somehow, see in ourselves."
by Bald Pollack on Jul 11, 2009 8:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So only marginally better than Brooks Laich?
Even if that’s the case it makes the team better by bumping Laich to the third line, bumping whomever would have been on the third line to the fourth line and bumping whomever would be on the fourth line to the bench.
by David M. Getz on Jul 11, 2009 10:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This.
Whether Mo is a “marginally better” hockey player than Brooks Laich (which I even tend to doubt – I’d take Laich in a second if asked to choose between the two), I do believe he’s likely to be a much better second-line center than Laich.
I’ve said it before and will yet again – teams that win have players in roles in which they can be successful, and Laich as a 2C isn’t one such role. 3LW? Sure. 2LW? Likely. But he’s simply not a playmaking pivot for a scoring line. Putting Laich in the 2C role (for an extended period of time) is far too reminiscent of Hanlon-era (and even some early Boudreau) roster management (Pothier as 1D, Gordon as 2C, etc.).
Morrison fits the role for which he was signed and keeps the rest of the forwards properly aligned. Simple as that.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 11, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Swapping BMo for Feds and gaining $2.5M
is essentially what this comes down to. how can you not like this based on the risk/reward? we’d all have loved a $4-5M 2nd line center, but that wasn’t likely to happen. there is a good chance he overperforms this contract.
Russian Machine Never Breaks
by macvechkin on Jul 10, 2009 8:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
It’s more a hunch. On paper, sure, it looks great based on risk/reward, but based on whether it’ll get us to a Cup is another story. I hope I’m wrong.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
or Bmo + Knuble for .3million more than Feds
Because now I can justify browsing and commenting during the work day with the argument that I am promoting my business.
by Sombrero Guy on Jul 10, 2009 8:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or, put another way, BMo and Knubs for .575m less than Dead Weight. Ugh.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 10, 2009 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or put it another way…
Flash/Morrison/Semin + Laich/Steckel/Clark >>>>>> Flash/Laich/Semin + Bourque/Steckel/Clark
I would not be surprised if Bourque was moved.
by JSchon on Jul 11, 2009 6:56 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We still have a forward slot open, though, on the fourth line.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 11, 2009 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Another lesser (but still noteworthy) positive to this signing – much like with Knuble, it keeps him away from an Eastern Conf. playoff team (the Devs were apparently quite hot for him).
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 10, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think the Devils have serious problems this year, so far. They’ve had a lot of their FA’s walk on them, and I don’t know what they’ve got in Lowell to replace them.
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 10, 2009 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, Hart Trophy for Parise then?
by red army line on Jul 11, 2009 2:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I had no idea I would be reading this today! Welcome to the team Mr. Morrison. I’m not terribly excited about this but at least it’s really cheap and short.
by zephyr on Jul 10, 2009 9:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I love this move...
…low risk with strong potential for a medium (if not high) reward.
What I really love about both this signing and the Knuble signing is that the organization has evolved so much that we’re actually a viable—dare I say "attractive"—destination for FAs. Remember when Keith Jones left for Colorado? He took some parting shots at the franchise and how he was happy to go to a better-run team (still hold a grudge against him for that)… and who could forget Jagr sulking away all his goodwill, giving the body language of an indentured servant in DC.
Of course, we owe a lot to Ovie, but the Capitals as a franchise (#6 in ESPN, ha!) have a lot to offer… a great owner, a lovable coach, a lot of young talent. A great fanbase. It’s all here. I know windows close fast and it won’t last forever, but all of this definitely makes me excited for the future….
Is it October yet?
by DonnieKnutts on Jul 10, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
another thing... with Knuble and Morrison
…Don Cherry’s appreciation of the Caps will grow exponentially… not that it matters of course. But those guys epitomize the “hard-nosed Canadian” trope to a tee.
by DonnieKnutts on Jul 10, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Grit? or . . . not?
Wait. How do you square “hard-nosed Canadian” with the Sportsnet BMo snapshot that Gould quoted: “Usually avoids heavy traffic areas, since he’s smallish in stature and not physical.” (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/players/Brendan_Morrison/)
Don’t sound hard-nosed to me.
Still and all, I like this. Very little $$, one year term, player has a lot to prove, puts a fire under Brooksie to see what he can evolve himself into, slides Poor Ole Nyles even further down the depth chart (not that he cares), forces some interesting decisions re defensemen. (I’d love to see more of Carlson myself.) Is it October yet?
by Uncle C on Jul 11, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, Brendan Morrison is many things, but hard-nosed ain’t one of ’em.
Japers' Rink: Hockey blogging from the most powerful city in the world
by J.P. on Jul 11, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If that’s true, then that leans me towards putting Brooksie on his LW and bumping Flash down to third (Flash/Steckel/Fehr or Clark?)
"It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees." - Delores Ibarruri
by gotsparkly on Jul 11, 2009 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I see a lot of folks saying that SMo or Juice will probably be gone. How does this work? Haven’t the Caps already made offers to both of these guys?
by PaintDrinkingPete on Jul 11, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The Caps have made offers to both. Both were given qualifying offers, which protect Washington’s right to match an offer made by another team and to obtain compensation if either player departs. In addition, Juice elected for arbitration, meaning that no other team can sign him to a contract.
None of this prevents Washington from trading the rights to either player. The reason people are speculating that one or both will be gone before the season starts is that (1) the team is either very close to or slightly over the salary cap, depending on how you look at it, and (2) the team has at least 6 other NHL-caliber defensemen (Green, Poti, Schultz, Pothier, Erskine and Alzner. And since I’m me, I’ll mention that I think Carlson is ready for the big time as well). There is a sense that the Caps want to reduce their salary load somewhere, and that ShaMo and Juice are the most likely folks to be traded away.
by Gould Old Days on Jul 11, 2009 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Bravo, George
I am thrilled by this signing: a very solid and consistent player coming off a down year, hungry to show that descriptions of his demise are premature.
Living out west for the last several years, I have been fortunate enough to catch several ‘Nucks games, and I have always liked watching Morrison skate and play. He is a significant upgrade at the second pivot. And I’ll quibble with Morrison not being hard nosed…he may not charge the net with brio but he is plenty tough and didn’t ever seem to back down from physical play. Moreover, if healthy, he will be the playmaker we lack at 2C and he can control tempo, but he is a north south player, unlike 92. Of course he’ll have to come out of camp having earned his spot, but I feel this is a very good move for us.
from the house that Red Jesus built
by bigonetimer on Jul 12, 2009 8:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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Southeast Standings
| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Washington
|
22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 |
|
Tampa Bay
|
19 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 23 |
|
Atlanta
|
18 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 22 |
|
Florida
|
20 | 9 | 9 | 2 | 20 |
|
Carolina
|
21 | 4 | 12 | 5 | 13 |
(updated 11.21.2009 at 12:53 AM EST)
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
