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OTTAWA - It's 3 a.m., I must be lonely.

Sorry, but I couldn't resist. That is one of my favorite songs and yes, it's exactly 3 a.m. as I begin writing this abbreviated blog from my hotel room in Ottawa. I am burning the midnight oil because I know Coyotes fans are eager to learn what's up with defenseman Derek Morris.

Here's what I can tell you: Morris, who was injured when one of the linesman accidentally stepped on one of his hands as he lay on the ice near the end of his fight with Chicago's Adam Burish in Wednesday's loss to the Blackhawks, flew with the team here and was in good spirits when I chatted with him on the tarmac upon our arrival. Morris, who hasn't missed a game because of injury since the 2005-06 season, told me he thinks he'll be able to play Friday night against the Senators.

The Coyotes, however, don't want to take any chances with Morris and likely will rest him for a few days. That's why the team will recall defenseman Ryan Lannon from its top affiliate in San Antonio today. Lannon won't make it here in time for Thursday's practice, but he'll be ready to go should Morris be given Friday night off to recover.
 
Lannon, a Harvard alum, was one of the last players cut from training camp.

Thanks for reading.

Dave
thedesertdogblog@phoenixcoyotes.com