Dallas Stars captain Brenden Morrow was shipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, along with a third-round pick in 2013 for 2011 first-round pick Joe Morrow and a fifth-round pick in 2013.
Morrow, Dallas' first-round pick in 1997, scored 243 goals and racked up 1203 penalty minutes in 835 career games with the team. One of the leagues best hitters, Morrowβs offensive skills and leadership abilities make him a dangerous addition to a Penguins team that already features stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and James Neal.
"He's a guy that goes to those dirty areas and as you know when you get in the playoffs we know that's an important aspect of what we're trying to do," Penguins general manager Ray Shero told ESPN.
As of Monday, the Stars sit in the final playoff spot in the Western conference with 33 points. While Morrow has been bogged by injuries over the past two seasons, his six goals were good for third on the team.
"Brenden Morrow has represented everything we could ever ask for in a Dallas Star over the past 14 years, giving his heart and soul to this franchise. On behalf of the entire Dallas Stars organization, we wish Brenden nothing but the best going forward and thank him sincerely for his years of service," said Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk in a release.
The deal was made after Morrow waived his no-trade clause. While the Penguins get a bonfire-tested playoff performer in Morrow, Stars management sees potential in their acquisition. In 57 games with the Penguins AHL-affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, the 20-year-old Morrow has four goals and 15 points.
βWe had a great opportunity to acquire a young top-end defenseman in Joe Morrow and we are delighted to add him to our organization,β Nieuwendyk said. We identified Joe as an outstanding prospect and a target for acquisition if ever available, and we feel he can solidify our blue line for the foreseeable future."