Cody Hodgson and Brendan Morrison fighting for Vancouver Canucks spot
Youngster Cody Hodgson and veteran Brendan Morrison are reportedly fighting for the final centre spot in the Vancouver Canucks line-up next season.
The news was reported by tsn.ca
Hodgson was drafted 10th overall by the Canucks in the 2008 National Hockey League
Entry draft. The youngster failed to make the club last season and was sent back to junior to play out his final year of eligibility. However, the Ontario native suffered a serious back injury and was unavailable
for the majority of the season. Hodgson is said to still be struggling with back problems, yet is hoping to make the big club this season.
Conversely, Morrison was drafted 39th overall by the New Jersey Devils in the second round of the 1993 NHL draft. The British Columbia native has spent 10 seasons in the League, the majority of them with
the Canucks. Morrison started his career with the Devils, but was quickly traded to Vancouver, playing seven full seasons with the club, before joining the Anaheim Ducks for the 2008-09 campaign. The 35-year-old was unsigned this summer and is entering Canucks
camp on a try-out basis.
The Canucks are deep at the centre position but have made it clear that one spot still remains. The club is set to start the year with Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler as the starting two centres, while Manny
Malhotra is penciled in on the third line. This leaves a spot on the team’s fourth unit.
The Canucks have not made it clear whether Hodgson or Morrison are preferred for this position, with pros and cons for each if they were to take over fourth line duty.
Morrison brings more NHL experience and is likely to be signed to a smaller one-year contract, which would help the Canucks who are currently over the salary cap. Nevertheless, Hodgson is one of the squad’s
most prized prospects and may be able to benefit from time in the League. However, the 20-year-old is unlikely to get a great deal of minutes and may be better served in the American Hockey League.
The Canucks are planning to continue testing the two centres throughout the pre-season, giving fans a chance to have a good look at the competition.
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