Morris back to Phoenix

Fantasy Impact – Phoenix has re-signed defenseman Derek Morris to a four-year contract worth a total of $11 million

The Coyotes get: A steady veteran top four defenseman. Morris hasn't broken the 30 point mark since 2002-03 with Colorado, but he can log 20+ minutes and play in all situations. He is a right shooting defenseman like the departing Zbynek Michalek, and should see an increase in ice time as the Coyotes attempt to replace their best defenseman.

Fantasy Players impacted: Morris will take on more of a leadership role with a defense core that is going to be very young in 2010-11 and beyond. He, Ed Jovanovski, and Adrian Aucoin will be joined by Keith Yandle, Sami Lepisto, Kurt Sauer, and potentially one of Maxim Goncharov or Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Morris will play more of a defensive role as the Coyotes have better offensive defenseman on their roster.

Fantasy Players this helps, in order:

1. Yandle (another solid veteran to allow him room to operate offensively)

Fantasy Players this hurts, in order:

1. Morris (he could have gone to a team willing to give him more power play time)

2. Lepisto/Goncharov/Ekman-Larsson