Fantasy Impact: The Blackhawks have traded for veteran center Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames for defensive prospect Brian Connelly.
The Blackhawks get: a veteran center who was good about two ACL's ago. Morrison was once a speedy, reliable two-way playmaker, but a few serious knee injuries have taken away any speed he once possessed. He's bounced around Calgary's lineup, playing anywhere from line one, to line four, to press box duty. Morrison is still a creative player, but he's too small and too slow to be effective at the NHL level.
For the Hawks, this is a low risk move. They still have time to go out and get a legitimate second line center like Mikhail Grabovski or Derek Roy if Morrison fails in the second line role. And if he succeeds, it will turn out to be a very shrewd move.
The Flames get: a proven AHL point producer in Connelly. He wasn't given much of a shot at the NHL level with Chicago (in fact, he has yet to play a regular season NHL game). Connelly has 36 points in 41 AHL games this season. Calgary may give him a look down the stretch if they fall far back of playoff contention. He had 11 goals and 52 points in 2011-12 for Rockford.
This is a good move for Calgary. Clears a bit of a log jam at center, and it nets them a really good AHL defenseman with some offensive upside.
Fantasy players impacted: In the short term, Morrison will get a look on the second line. Kane and Sharp are both better on the wing. Frolik, too. Brandon Pirri and Marcus Kruger are both not ready for second line NHL duties yet, especially on a team with cup hopes.
Morrison will realistically slide in on Chicago's fourth line, and he should see some time on the second power play unit (for faceoffs, mostly).
Connelly should get the call up at some point this season to show Calgary what he can do at the NHL level.
Players this helps (in order):
1. Morrison
2. Connelly
3. Matt Stajan (less competition)
4. Mikael Backlund (see above, although he was probably safe)
Players this hurts (in order):
1. Pirri (short term)
2. Kruger (short term)
Related Posts
UPCOMING GAMES
WPG
STLStarting Goalies
Top Skater Views
CGY
DAL
T.B
S.JTop Goalie Profile Views
EDM
DET
LINE COMBOS
| Frequency |
 CAR Players
| |
|---|---|---|
| 22.1 | JORDAN STAAL JORDAN MARTINOOK SETH JARVIS | |
| 21.4 | ANDREI SVECHNIKOV JACKSON BLAKE SEBASTIAN AHO | |
| 13.3 | LOGAN STANKOVEN JESPERI KOTKANIEMI TAYLOR HALL | |
DobberHockey Podcasts
Keeping Karlsson: First Round Fly-Bys
Elan and Brian fly by each of the eight NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs quarter-final series, highlighting stand-out performances and storylines of the first round so far.
Fantasy Hockey Life: TIDY Champs Roundtable
What does it take to win a division of our Tiered Dynasty league? Champs Sasha, Scott, Kevin, and top tier champ Mason Black join Victor, Jesse, and TIDY co-commish Simon for a roundtable chat. It’s a great dynasty strategy talk. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by […]
Fantasy Hockey Life: Hot Take Review
Back in episodes 362 and 363 Victor and Jesse made hot takes about all 32 teams for the season. Today we go back to see how many we got right. Have a listen! Our show is part of the Dobber Podcast Network and sponsored by Fantrax.com. Email fantasyhockeylife@gmail.com and ask to join our free discord. […]
Keeping Karlsson: End-of-Season Beginnings, Vibesgoaliebord
Elan and Brian express their interest in players on the verge of playing their first NHL games, make some playoff predictions with no promises, and do a vibes-based draft for goalies they are willing to commit to rostering for the entirety of the next NHL season.
Fantasy Hockey Life: X Gamers and Silly Season
Jesse and Victor talk about up and coming prospects Michael Hage, Berkly Catton, and Nick Lardis. We feature polls from NHL Rank King Mason Black.In the second half Jesse asks if hockey has become as crazy as basketball for late season volatility. Lastly we talk about fantasy playoff heroes Kiefer Sherwood, Dylan Holloway, and Drake […]