Coyotes Bring In Whitney, Retain Morris

 

Phoenix Coyotes General Manager Don Maloney unfortunately could not bring defenseman Zbynek Michalek back into the fold due to financial constraints, and he bolted to Pittsburgh for a $20 million, five-year deal. But Maloney was able to retain the services of defenseman Derek Morris and bring in the veteran scoring touch of left wing Ray Whitney.

The 31-year old Morris is back on a four-year, $11 million contract that will be split evenly at $2.75 million per season. It's a slight paycut from the $3.3 million he earned last season, but Morris remains in a comfortable situation with Phoenix. When Morris was acquired by the Coyotes last season as a trade deadline addition, it marked his second run with the team. He previously played with them from late 2004 through late 2009. In his return to the Coyotes this past spring, he put up a goal and three assists for four points in 18 games. He totals four goals and 25 assists for 29 points on the season when factoring in 58 games with Boston.

Morris is a solid all-around defenseman who can be good on the offensive and defensive sides of the puck when he wants to be. He's just inconsistent at times, and that prevents him ranking among the elite. At $2.75 million, though, Maloney was able to keep a familiar face at a reasonable price.

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In an effort to boost the league's seventh-worst goal scoring team in the league last year, Maloney brought in one of the more sought after left wings on the market, Ray Whitney, on a two-year deal valued at $6 million. According to TSN's Darren Dreger, this contract includes "a modified no-move clause that includes a small window for a few teams to trade with."

"We are thrilled to sign Ray to a contract," said Maloney (by way of TSN). "He is a terrific offensive player who will help us on the power play. He is a great leader in the dressing room with a Stanley Cup Championship to his credit and will instantly upgrade our offensive attack."

The 38-year old is one of those players that just hasn't run out of steam with age. He scored 21 goals last season - the fourth straight with over 20 scores - and 37 assists for 58 points in 80 games with the Carolina Hurricanes. In a career with 1,072 games played, Whitney boasts totals of 324 goals, 545 assists and 869 points.

The Coyotes will value his veteran presence as the team continues its push to be a serious contender. And even in his advanced age (at least sport-wise), the team need not worry about him being out of the lineup after having suited up for at least 80 games in three of the past four seasons.