Haven't watched more then highlights this year, Dotchin and Blujus are putting up better numbers then Witkowski, any chance they can replace him easily next season if asked to play top pair? It doesn't make sense to have Witkowski and Barberio in the press box next season, one needs to go and with Gudas bringing what Witkowski does but better I can see him as the odd man out especially if the organization likes what Blujus and Dotchin are bringing.
With Witkowski is not about numbers...it is about physicality and fighting. Witko is playing first line minutes w/Koekkoek, Blujus is playing second w/Cote, and Dotchin is paired up with Nesterov on the third line. As a defensive defenseman he is doing what he is supposed to do...would expect Koekkoek to be driving the points a bit more.
Blujus and Dotchin are just not ready at all. Both are 20 year olds still adjusting to the game at the AHL level - Syracuse's defense is not that great...we really don't want them playing NHL minutes this season or next.
Reason I had both of them (Barbs/Witko) in the NHL roster is for three main reasons:
1. there is a precedent of us carrying two defenders as healthy scratches.
2. there are no other veteran forward or forwards that can sit - all bad contracts are gone. No Morrow - means Brown can get that spot regularly on fourth line. There is no Center position open for Vladdy next year either and he needs to play so back to Syracuse. I thought maybe Marchessault gets the extra (healthy scratch) forward position since his development is done and can slot up and down the lineup as needed and play both Wing positions. He also got the extended look same as Witko and both are cheap RFAs who can be signed to short 2-way contracts.
3. Lefties vs Righties. So it is not really Barbs vs Witkoski - Barbs fills is on left side and Witko fills in on right side. Other healthy scratch being Marchessault.
Blujus - two way forward, Dotchin - defensive defenseman kid is rowdy and can fight, and Koekkoek - two way forward are at least two years out. Koekkoek ready one year earlier than Blujus & Dotchin. Koekkoek #3 ceiling. Dotchin third pair ceiling. Blujus is an interesting kid - can't put my finger on his ceiling just yet. The organization definitely likes what the kids bring...they are playing tons of minutes at Syracuse. But not ready at all for NHL duty.
