Flames trade Morrison to Chicago
Kent Wilson
January 27 2012 07:27PM
Jay Feaster has rectified one of his off-season errors tonight by dealing Brendan Morrison to the Chicago Blackhawks for defender Brian Connelly. The high scoring blueliner is 25-years old and was never drafted. Connelly managed 11 goals and 52 points in 80 games for the Rockford Icehogs last year and is second on the team in scoring this season with 36-points in 44 games.
The real news here, however, is the departure of Morrison. The 36 year old had a nice season for the Flames last year but has mostly functioned as a 13th forward when healthy this season. Although still rather crafty with the puck Morrison tends to be easily bested in puck battles and can't get around as well thanks to his age and off-season knee surgery. His deal was a mistake the second it was inked this past summer, albeit one that was easily corrected.
In Connelly, the Flames add another mid-20's, high scoring AHL veteran in the same mold as Clay Wilson and Derek Smith, both of whom have served the organization well at both minor and major league levels. The addition fills a need in Abbotsford with TJ Brodie likely here to stay and gives the team another chance unearthing a Smith-like gem going forward.
Overall, it's a good move. It clears up a bit of cap space for the Flames and adds a low-cost, low risk player who can step into the pro ranks and start contributing immediately.
Can't imagine why it would matter where a player, coach, manager or otherwise came from or what his heritage might be.
Talent, skill, or ability maybe.
Feaster trades again for youth and speed. At least with Feaster and Wiesbrod they are not ignoring their AHL affiliate and making it a competitive team as well. Finally a GM who invests in the future.
Feaster lacks confidence (see also 2nd round draft pick sent to Sabres in Reagher trade) - Here is what a Blackhawks blog had to say about Connelly
"If Morrison doesn’t work out the Hawks only had to part with Brian Connelly. Connelly has played well in Rockford for the last couple of years. He has been an AHL All Star the last two seasons. He is the Icehogs all time points and assists leader for defensemen. The Blackhawks, as an organization, are deep at the blue line. Connelly was not our top defensive prospect; he was behind Dylan Olsen on the depth chart. The Blackhawks are still high on Shawn LaLonde and 2011 draft pick Adam Clendening, who is having a good season playing for Boston University."
Enough said.
Pains me, but good move by Feaster.
RE: Kenta
Good point about Feaster. Not too sure why he has had to trade two second round picks away. In the Regehr trade, I think he had no choice given that he got Buffalo to take Kotalik's US3.0mn contract. However, in the Bourque trade, doesn't seem necessarily given that Montreal wanted to dump Cammalleri right away.
Holland was unsigned & perhaps he was thrown in because negotiations for an ELC werent going well & Feaster got proactive to avoid an Erixon scenario. Now he's Montreals problem & with Ramos, who is a good age for goalie maturity time lines & his numbers are tops in Europe, prospect for prospect, I'll buy it. Bourque & a 2nd for Cammi. Why not. Cammi is a top 6 & Bourque was floating on our 3rd line most games with 4 more years of floating. Cammi this time next year will net us at least a 2nd rounder back, probably a late 1st rounder. I have no problem with deal. I am disappointed we gave up a 2nd instead of eating Kotaliks 3.0mill, but its not me writing the cheques. Maybe it was the owners condition of giving Jay the GM position & a lesson if he spends foolishly they wont always be there to write cheques for stupidity. Too bad they didnt take that approach with Daryl.