Sunday, March 24, 2013

Penguins acquire Brenden Morrow

The Penguins traded Joe Morrow and a 5th round pick in 2013 to the Dallas Stars for Brenden Morrow and a 3rd round pick in 2013.

Draft picks aside, this is a heavy price to give up for what amounts to a rental player.

Ray Shero must feel pretty strongly about his team's chances for a run at the Cup, because Joe Morrow was the #1 defensive prospect in a system that is very deep in defensemen.

In Brenden Morrow, the Pens get a physical guy that will go to the net, hit people and shoot the puck.  He gives them their first true power forward (James Neal doesn't really count in that regard) since the arrival of Crosby and Malkin.  He should flourish in playing with either Malkin or Crosby.

The only disappointing thing here is that in exchange for a few months of Brenden, the Pens give up a really good prospect in Joe Morrow, who likely would have graduated to the Pens within a year or two.

This is why the Pens continued to build defensive depth over the last few years - it gives them the chance to acquire a player in what was an area of need.

Now what will this do to Beau Bennett?  Will he continue to play with Malkin?  If he does, does Morrow slide into a top 6 spot?  If so, who do you remove?