Dallas Stars general manager Joe Nieuwendyk said Tuesday he expects captain Brenden Morrow to be with the team next season.
Morrow reportedly has become a trade target of the St. Louis Blues, among other teams.
Nieuwendyk addressed those rumors to the Dallas Morning News.
"We had a good talk the other day, and I told him I very much believe there’s a place for him on this team," Nieuwendyk told the newspaper. "I told him I fully expect him to be out there on the power play in front of the net where he’s always been."
The St. Louis Post Dispatch earlier reported the Blues had interest in Morrow for a possible trade. The newspaper mentioned the New York Rangers, San Jose Sharks and Los Angeles Kings as other teams that could be interested.
Morrow said he plans to be with the Stars next season.
"You asked me: Do I want to be a Dallas Star, and the answer is definitely yes," Morrow said. "If they want to trade me or they indicate to me that they don’t want me, then obviously I don’t want to be there or stand in their way. But, until they say that they want to trade me or ask me to waive my no-trade clause, then I’m excited to be on the team and I’m ready to get going next season."
Morrow, 34 in January, has one year remaining on his contract. The forward was limited by injuries to 57 games last season -- he had 11 goals and 15 assists. In 2010-11, he scored 33 goals playing all 82 games.
"I feel good where we are right now, but I also know things change," Morrow said. "Right now, I’m just focused on me and my health. I figure if I take care of that, everything else will work out fine."
The Stars added free-agent forwards Ray Whitney and Jaromir Jagr and traded for Derek Roy this summer. They have traded away forwards Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott.
The Dallas Morning News reported Wednesday that Roy needs shoulder surgery and could be sidelined until November.
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