Ducks ink Morrison to one-year deal

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Jul 8, 2008 | by wire services

Center Brendan Morrison, who has had 50-plus points in six of the past seven NHL seasons, signed a one-year contract with the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday.

Morrison played in 542 consecutive games for Vancouver from 2000- 07 before wrist and knee injuries limited him to 39 games with the Canucks last season. He had nine goals and 16 assists during his injury-abbreviated season.

"Brendan Morrison is a solid veteran," Ducks general manager Brian Burke said. "He's an intelligent hockey player and is a tremendous addition to our top six forward group."

Lightning: Tampa Bay signed forward Mark Recchi to a one-year contract. Recchi, a seven-time All-Star who has played 19 NHL seasons, had 14 goals and 48 points in 72 games with Pittsburgh and Atlanta in 2007-08.

Canucks: Vancouver retained Steve Bernier by matching the one- year, $2.5 million offer sheet the forward signed with St. Louis. The Blues tried to pluck the 23-year-old restricted free agent away just four days after the Canucks acquired him in a trade with Buffalo. Vancouver had seven days to either match or accept a second- round pick in the 2009 Entry Draft from St. Louis -- less than the third-round pick in 2009 and second-round pick in 2010 it sent to the Sabres to acquire him July 4. Bernier split last season between the Sharks and Sabres, posting 16 goals and 16 assists in 76 games.

Senators: Ottawa signed defenseman Jason Smith to a two-year, $5.2 million deal. The 14-year NHL veteran was Philadelphia's captain last season.

Canadiens: Montreal re-signed backup goalie Jaroslav Halak to a two-year, $1.55 million contract.

Wild: Minnesota signed defenseman Tomas Mojzis to a multiyear deal. Mojzis played in Russia last season.