Should The Bruins Acquire Brendan Witt?

Written by Greg Ezell

Wednesday, 03 February 2010 13:16

bloodywitt

Greg Wynshynski over at Puck Daddy had something on their website regarding the release of Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt. His article got me thinking about the Bruins and their recent struggles at the defensive position.

I'll be the first to acknowledge that my knowledge of Witt's playing style isn't up to par. I know he's a gritty defenseman who is slowly declining in terms of play and is on the bad side of 30 (34). However, is it worth bringing in a guy like Witt if it is at all possible to get rid of a Dennis Wideman or Andrew Ference (who more than likely isn't coming back when he hits the free agent market)?

Well Witt doesn't have the offensive numbers (2 goals and 3 assists in 42 games and a staggering +/- of -18), but he isn't an offensive defenseman like Derek Morris or Dennis Wideman. If you compare Wideman's totals and Witt's totals they are relatively close, except in assists. Wideman has 1 more goal (3 to 2), 13 more assists (16 to 3), a better plus/minus (-15 to -18) but also costs a lot more.

Witt will make $3M total this season and $3M next season before he is an unrestricted free agent. Wideman, unfortunately, will be here longer and for more money. Wideman's contract is up after the 2011-2012 season and has totals of $4M ('10-'11 season) and $4.5M ('11-'12) season. That's a lot of dough for a guy who has been a constant problem on both sides of the ice.

So my question to the Bruins faithful is "If Brendan Witt worth picking up?". Why can't the Bruins waive a guy like Wideman, who has clearly struggled since the puck first dropped in October? Is it a thing of pride? Are they afraid that if they waive Wideman it will admit mistake to the rest of the NHL? Wideman isn't worth keeping on the ice, especially at $4M+ over the next two seasons (not counting the $3.75M he's made this year).

A guy like Witt can provide some toughness on a team that is surely lacking some. With Milan Lucic out for a large portion of the season, the only one who's had the nuggets to drop the glvoes has been Shawn Thornton (and Adam McQuaid in between plane trips).

At some point Wideman has to be considered a cap casualty by Peter Chiarelli and the bunch. I think Witt is worth taking a flier on, I mean, he stopped a fucking SUV for Christ sakes! What do you think Bruins fans?

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