Analyzing the Morrow Trade at the AHL Level

Monday, March 25, 2013
For those who might have missed it yesterday, the Penguins traded defenseman Joe Morrow and a 5th round draft pick to the Dallas Stars in exchange for forward Brenden Morrow and a third round pick. Both draft picks swapped are for the 2013 NHL Draft.

On the surface, the Penguins get a veteran forward that can play in the top six. Morrow plays with a physical edge as well and was the captain of the Stars this season. I think there's nothing wrong with adding a guy with his experience, leadership and high compete level.

Joe Morrow, the former Pens 1st round draft pick, is the second AHL Penguins defenseman to be traded to the Stars organization this season, Carl Sneep being the other. Morrow has an NHL caliber slap shot from the point, can skate and move the puck well and has a ton of potential.

In this business, you have to give up something to get something and with the depth built on the blue line in the Penguins organization, Morrow is moved to the Stars. I wish him all the best moving forward and there's even reports that he may get a chance with the big club right away.

From a WBS perspective, the defense loses its sixth defenseman in Morrow. Cody Wild now slots into the lineup. Adding a forward at the NHL level should mean Trevor Smith will be back before Wednesday's game. Once Evgeni Malkin returns, Pittsburgh will have 14 healthy forwards. Here's what the WBS lineup looks like now:

Holzapfel - Smith - Kolarik
Collins - Gibbons - Megna
Payerl - Peters - Thompson
Farnham - Sill - Uher
MacIntyre - Minella

Reese - Dumoulin
Mormina - Grant
Samuelsson - Wild
Seymour

Zatkoff - Thiessen

With the April 3rd NHL Trade Deadline quickly approaching, stay tuned for all the latest on breaking news and trades affecting the WBS Penguins on our Twitter feed: @H_P_Hockey.

If nothing else breaks out today, check back tomorrow for an update after practice. Penguins get back at it Wednesday night at home against Binghamton.

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