Speculation: Value of Trading for Witkowski

[RedMenace]

It's Christmas, I'm miserable, and I miss Hitkowski.

He's better than Ehn forward-wise, and he's better than Biega defensively.

I want someone in the lineup who will beat the f*** out of little punk-ass . Why not?

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[Claypool]

He should have never hit free agency IMO.

 

[ArmChairGM89]

I think he was a valuable player in terms of where our team was/is at

 

[Retire91]

Don't really want to give up a pick to get a player that was let walk in UFA unless its like a conditional 6th or something.

 

[MBH]

Witkowski sucks.
Call up McIlrath.

 

[Henkka]

Witkowski sucks.
Call up McIlrath.

This.

We have the needed fists in better player.

 

[Claypool]

Team sucked but they beat the shit out of teams. Witkowski was the straw that stirred the drink that season.

 

[Mlotek]

He was available on waivers when Tampa got bored of him.

Plus as mentioned above, McIlrath is still under contract.

 

[Steve Yzerlland]

The most depressing thing is a thread was made to get Witkowski back on Detroit like it would even matter even if he played his absolute best ever.

 

[Mlotek]

The most depressing thing is a thread was made to get Witkowski back on Detroit like it would even matter even if he played his absolute best ever.

Don't you know the secret to being best in the NHL is icing a team full of enforcers?

Of course you don't, it's a secret.

Come to think of it, forget you even read this post.

 

[Snuggs]

I mean it's not a huge deal but I would of literally rather bought out Abdelkader and resigned Witokowski

 

[ArmChairGM89]

This.

We have the needed fists in better player.

while this is not a priority for me by any means, since the topic was brought up, it would be nice and add entertainment if we had witter over a number of our forwards. Him up front and Mac on the back end would be interesting.

 

[13to40]

As somebody above mentioned; another viable solution is to just call up Mcilrath. No need to give up assets for a 4th liner. Let’s not go down the Montreal Canadiens route...

With that being said though, Witowski was one of my favourite players to watch last season. Brought very needed energy to the games he played in and he was there to protect our young team. Mantha gets hurt once a year due to standing up for teammates or himself, I think this alone should be an indicator of how we do need a player or Mcilrath/Witowski style.

 

[Kronwalled55]

While McIlrath should be the easy replacement option, I can’t say I’ve been impressed with his physicality at the NHL level. Witkowski definitely had a bigger presence.

 

[GMR]

Don't you know the secret to being best in the NHL is icing a team full of enforcers?

Of course you don't, it's a secret.

Come to think of it, forget you even read this post.

A team full of enforcers would fill the empty seats better than this current bunch.

 

[Mlotek]

A team full of enforcers would fill the empty seats better than this current bunch.

That is on Blash. I don't think it's players choice to dump and no chase every play.

Surprisingly, the few times they actually skate it in good thing happen.

 

[Hen Kolland]

That is on Blash. I don't think it's players choice to dump and no chase every play.

Surprisingly, the few times they actually skate it in good thing happen.

Blashill has said multiple times that this isn’t how he wants the team to play. It is on the players that they dump and don’t chase every play. The team is just that bad that it’s the only way they can not spend a full shift in their own end.

 

[saska sault]

While McIlrath should be the easy replacement option, I can’t say I’ve been impressed with his physicality at the NHL level. Witkowski definitely had a bigger presence.

Luke is what he is, he was a tough 4th liner or 7th Dman who could play Forward and D. I wish we kept him also, he was a good skater for his size, knew his role and protected players. Plus he threw some huge hits and always answered the bell if someone challenged. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back next year.

 

[MBH]

Team sucked but they beat the **** out of teams. Witkowski was the straw that stirred the drink that season.

Ah, so Witkowski departure the reason we went from "normal bad" to "historic bad."

I was thinking it was because of Vanek's departure, but that didn't make much sense.
Witkowski makes a lot more sense,

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

God, please no. No thank you.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather have good hockey players on the team, personally.

 

[Hen Kolland]

God, please no. No thank you.

Call me crazy, but I'd rather have good hockey players on the team, personally.

You must really hate this hockey team then...

 

[GMR]

Blashill has said multiple times that this isn’t how he wants the team to play. It is on the players that they dump and don’t chase every play. The team is just that bad that it’s the only way they can not spend a full shift in their own end.

Really? Dump and DON'T chase is something I've never heard of as an actual hockey strategy. Need to have at least one forechecker if you're going to dump the puck in constantly. Two preferably.

 

[Hen Kolland]

Really? Dump and DON'T chase is something I've never heard of as an actual hockey strategy. Need to have at least one forechecker if you're going to dump the puck in constantly. Two preferably.

That's the problem. We don't have a system because our players are incapable of executing any system. It's either chip it out of the D zone and hope to make a change in the 5 seconds of breathing room it creates, or dump and change in the neutral zone, or execute a frail attempt at a rush that results in one shot before the other team has transitioned back onto offense.

Those are the 3 most common "plays" our talent is capable of.

 

[cjm502]

I dont mind McIlrath but he hasnt been the most physical or aggressive for us this year. At least Witkowski has some decent speed and can play forward also.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

You must really hate this hockey team then...

Nah, we have to be bad right now. We all knew this going into the season. It’s part of the process to getting good again. We don’t need bad hockey players plugging up the lineup anymore than we already have.