Low-risk Brendan Morrison has been on Hawks’ radar
Brendan Morrison is 36 years old and has two bum knees.
Does he have anything left?
Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman thinks so, which is why he took the low-risk chance and acquired the veteran center from the Calgary Flames on Friday night in exchange for minor-league defenseman Brian Connelly.
Morrison carries only a $1.25 million cap hit and will be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Connelly didn’t figure into the Hawks’ future on defense, having lost ground on the organization’s depth chart to recent top draft picks Dylan Olsen, Adam Clendening and Stephen Johns.
For Bowman, it was worth a shot to catch lightning in a bottle for a few months to pick up Morrison, once an excellent playmaker who has the potential to center the Hawks’ second line for Marian Hossa and Patrick Sharp.
Morrison can also play a defensive role, kill penalties and contribute on the power play.
Sometimes it’s these small pickups by a Stanley Cup contender that pays off big come playoff time. We shall see with Morrison.
Bowman admitted Morrison was on his radar for a while.
“There are a lot of attributes Brendan brings to the table that we’ve been looking for,” Bowman said. “He’s got a long pedigree of being an offensive performer. I think he’s still got a lot left to add to our group. Having that experience and having the ability to play with skill players gives us a lot of options.
“He’s been a point producer in the past and also shown versatility recently to play different roles on the team. Plus he has a lot of leadership. He’s played a lot of games in the NHL and is well-respected among his teammates and his opponents. You can never have too many guys of his character in your locker room.”
Morrison is certain to get a shot centering the second line behind Jonathan Toews. Coach Joel Quenneville has said repeatedly he believes the Hawks are at their best with Dave Bolland playing the third-line checking role.
If Morrison can fill the second-line slot. it would give the Hawks a foursome of Toews, Morrison, Bolland and Marcus Kruger down the middle. Potentially, that’s not bad.
Kruger could solidify a fourth line that has had consistency issues.
It will be interesting to see how the roster shakes out next week. Rookie Jimmy Hayes was sent to Rockford on Saturday to make way for Morrison and Toews’ return from IR. When Sharp comes off injured reserve another decision needs to be made. Andrew Shaw or Sami Lepisto?
Bowman isn’t done dealing and shuffling. This roster still is not ready to make a long playoff run.
The trade deadline isn’t until Feb. 27 — and Bowman wants another defenseman. There are a number of veterans already available such as Carolina’s Tim Gleason, Montreal’s Hal Gill and Anaheim’s Toni Lydman, but there are certain to be even better blue-liners on the market in the next few weeks.
Jack Johnson of the Kings might be in play, if you believe certain rumors, but he definitely wouldn’t come cheap.