Player Profile: Shaone Morrisonn

2010-11 Regular Season stats:

2011 Postseason stats:

Career:

Look Back: Morrissonn was one of the two free agent signings on the blue line to replace the departed Henrik Tallinder and Toni Lydman. It was the level of his play with Mike Green of the Capitals that brought hope for stability to the blue line, and hopefully help develop Tyler Myers.  Morrissonn’s production was extremely limited and his spot in the lineup was shuffled throughout much of the season. He only appeared in one game against the Flyers and wasn’t able to contribute much in a positive way to slow philly’s attack.  For a season that started with modestly high hopes, Morrisonn was not able to live up to those expectations.

Look Ahead: Morrissonn has one year remaining on his contract before becoming a RFA and turns 30 in December.  His $2mm salary isn’t a back-breaker for the team, but with the likelihood of the team adding a high cost defenseman, as well as the hope of adding a #1 center, it is a $2 million contract I think they would like to live without.  The Sabres’ farm system and current NHL roster is filled with other defensemen that can contribute to what Morrissonn was suppose to add in 2010-11.  If the team is able to find a trade partner, I would think they would jump at the opportunity, or they may send him down to whoever the AHL affiliate ends up being.

Fake Darcy’s Take: Shaone is one of the rare free agent misses of my career. And by rare, I mean typical. I guess he wasn’t carrying Mike Green in Washington, after all. Shaone is the reason there are “mulligans” in golf. Although, if he makes our 2011-2012 team, I will talk him up again.

Up Next: Chris Butler

Twitter: @brianbund