Retire91
Stevey Y you our Guy
- May 31, 2010
- 6,181
- 1,608
That's false.
Here's an example of a month ago.
Simmonds hits Hirose near the boards. McIlrath fights him.
Several other times, McIlrath tried to go with guys who refused.
In terms of hits,
McIlrath has had 67 hits in 23 games over the last years.
Witkowski had 67 hits in 34 games last year.
The only thing that Witkowski offers that McIlrath doesn't is a stupidly high goals against average.
McIlrath, who unlike Witkowski was entrusted with PK minutes, has one of the lowest GA/60 on the team at 5 on 5 and on the PK.
McIlrath was at 2.19 this year - a year when most other defensemen on the team have GA's at 3.5 to 4.4.
Best on the team.
On the PK, McIlrath's GA is 7.3. Better than Hronek, Dekeyser, Daley, Cholo, Nemeth and most of the wings PK guys.
Witkowski had the worst GA/60 on the defense last year of any player who played 300 minutes.
As for Smith? Who cares. At best Smith develops into a 3rd line winger who might do some netfront work and some hitting. No reason he can't come to the NHL and play 4th line minutes and begin his apprenticeship.
So, yeah, give me some toughness. But let's use some players who can actually help the hockey team. McIlrath prevents goals against at 5 on 5 and the PK.
Smith can come up and develop his game.
Witkowski sucks
I think people like his beard or something. Or maybe they went to WMU or something.
By the way, Witkowski and McIlrath fought before.
Maybe the ship sailed long ago when I wasn't paying attention but I thought if you were considered a tough guy fighter you aren't supposed to wear a visor.