OTTAWA, OntarioThe Chicago Blackhawks were looking to get some experience at center. Now they have it.
The Blackhawks acquired center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames on Friday night, in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly. It was a move that Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman had been looking at for a while. And its one that gives the team more experience at a position where they dont have a lot of it.
Were not a strong team in terms of NHL experience at center, Bowman said on a conference call Friday night. I like our depth with whats coming (Brandon Pirri, Marcus Kruger). Toews and Bolland are established. And now we have another established, legitimate center.
Bowman added that this move had nothing to do with the fact that Jonathan Toews is injured. He reiterated what coach Joel Quenneville has said all along: Toews injury isnt serious, and Bowman said the captain is targeted to return Tuesday against Vancouver.
The 36-year-old Morrison, who spent eight seasons with the Canucks, will make his Blackhawks debut against them on Tuesday. He has 200 goals and 601 points in his NHL career. More important, the veteran has gone to the playoffs nine times during his career. He said he was ecstatic to join the Blackhawks.
This team has as good a chance as any to compete for the Cup, Morrison said. Im going to come in and be a guy whos a leader when I can and be helpful wherever I can: special teams, 5 on 5, any situation. Im excited about core of this team.
When healthy, Morrison is a dependable player. Hes centered some great wingers, including the Flames Jarome Iginla. Morrison tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee last March against the Chicago Blackhawks, and had surgery on it about a month later -- he had the same injury and surgery to the right knee three years prior to that. But Morrison said the knee is fine.
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I forced myself back into action sooner than anticipated (early this season). But theres no issue as far as re-injuring the knee. I know its fine, he said. Ive been playing for past few months. Its solid and strong.
Morrison said some Blackhawks were taunting him as he skated off with that injury last March. The culprit was never identified. Morrison said hes not revisiting it.
To me thats a dead issue, he said. Ive turned the page from that. I have no issues with that at all moving forward.
As for more deals, Bowman wouldnt say he was finished. Hes said several times that hes still looking for a defenseman, and that hasnt changed. The trade deadline is Feb. 27, so Bowman still has plenty of timeand cap spaceto get what he wants.
(This move) obviously doesnt impact defense. That hasnt changed, Bowman said. Were still a month away from the deadline. Im not going to rule out anything.