A few weeks ago on the trade rumors page of my website I commented on the possibility of the Vancouver Canucks re-signing center Brendan Morrison, an unrestricted free agent at season’s end:
“The only real area of concern regarding Morrison is his injury history, otherwise there'd be no question the Canucks would re-sign him. The Canucks presently have 12 players under contract for next season at just over $34 million. With the salary cap expected to rise again they could have enough cap space to re-sign Morrison if they so choose, although it'll cost them more than the $3.2 million he's making this season, especially if ...he's on pace for a career-best 30 goals.”
This generated considerable response from Canucks fans, but none of them wondering about how much Morrison is worth or if the Canucks could afford him, but rather my comment about his injury history.
These responses pointed out that Morrison is currently the NHL’s active leader in consecutive games played, not missing a game since the 1999-2000 season.
Most were respectful in their response, wondering if I were “confused” or “mistaken”. A few however were downright rude, with one not only questioning my intelligence but suggesting I had canine ancestry.
Morrison didn’t miss any games in the previous two seasons, but he did play through pain.
In 2005-06 he suffered a hip injury, which grew worse as the season progressed, limiting his skating ability and his effectiveness. The problem was serious enough to require surgery after the ‘05-’06 season, and the recovery carried over in the 2006-07 season.
Morrison claimed that by mid-season he finally felt free of the after-effects of his hip surgery. Then, with just over two weeks remaining in the ‘06-’07 season, he suffered an abdominal injury.
Again, Morrison gritted it out, but the injury affected his skating and effectiveness, particularly in the 2007 playoffs. And for the second straight year, Morrison went under the knife in the off-season.
I credit Morrison for playing through pain, but while he never missed a game those injuries obviously affected his performance.
So much so that it led to two years of trade speculation, media musings over his future with the club, and some Canucks fans calling for Morrison to be traded.
Just because an injured player never misses a game doesn’t mean the injury doesn’t exist. Because of the penchant for NHL teams to hide the injuries of their players, it often accounts for a star player's puzzling slump or decline in performance.
Morrison has a recent injury history, and it’s something that Canucks management will have to take into consideration if/when they meet with Morrison and his agent to discuss a possible contract extension.
I was one of those Canucks fans who felt the urge to point out Morrison's Iron Man status. Thanks Spector for clearing this up - the facts are that Morrison was injured (which hurt production) but not so injured that he missed games. So that's both impressive and problematic, as it makes Morrison's level of play harder to assess.
A lot of Canucks fans have felt for the last couple years that Morrison's $3m+ salary was excessive. He signed at exactly the right moment, while riding high with Bertuzzi and Naslund at their peak. This season he looks a little less hot than when Spector's article originally appeared, but he's skating faster and better than the last few years. His current pace is for more like 23-25 goals... I think with recent salary inflation he could get $3.5m for two or three seasons from the Canucks. Possibly a bit more on the open market, as I could see teams like Minnesota or maybe Columbus chasing him.
Oh, and apologies on behalf of over-enthusiastic Canucks fans. Some knuckle-draggers embarrass those of us who care about hockey (as opposed to just badmouthing Flames & Leafs fans). I still disagree with you on the "Eastern bias" of NHL coverage and marketing, but I appreciate that your comments are quite balanced and well-informed.
Thanks for clarifying your opinion. I was wondering about that post myself.
Hey I'm still enthralled by the Flyers hit squad story. I Hope you keep it updated. Looks likely that Riley Cote will draw a suspension from the Saturday night game against Dallas.
Cote received a 10-minute match penalty, which is an automatic league review. Keep putting up the great posts!
As a canuck fan i totally agree with you. Love Morrison's fortitude ... and although he is playing better this year(as is Naslund) you look at the nearly $10 million in salary they tie up and wonder what else it could buy.
As to the canine ancestry ... a Prince Edward Rumour Hound? An East Coast Puck Fancier? Anyone else have sudden visions of Spec running the floor of MSG ... "check the glasses ... well suited to spying information ... not sure on the goatee though ... not common in the breed and makes this candidate seem less trustworthy ..."
Morrisons toughness cant be discounted when his agents negotiates a new contract, but I believe
he will resign, for less but also with realistic
bonus incentives. I really like morrison and as
a believer in him and his "team first" attitude
do think he will resign.
I'm Lyle Richardson, also known as Spector, Foxsports.com 's "Prince of Pucks".,which is based on the fact I live in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I couldn't think of a better byline. I've been an NHL hockey commentator since 1998 on my website, Spector's Hockey, and I'm a contributing writer for Foxsports.com , The Hockey News and Eishockey News. I'm also a regular on The Faceoff Hockey Show and a frequent guest on "The Late Crew" on The Team 1200 Ottawa.
