TRUE VALUE: Brendan Witt
Fearless, battle-tested stay-at-home dman available
Our month-long series analyzing the value of Islanders veterans and the possibility of a deal before the March 4 trade deadline. Previous entries can be read on Doug Weight and Mike Comrie.
Player: Brendan Witt, D
The Story: Funny how things turn out sometimes. Prior to deciding on a head coach, the Islanders inked two key defensemen to multi-year deals. Witt was given a two-year contract extension just before Ted Nolan was fired (although the feeling here is the team knew Ted was a goner). Mark Streit was signed as an unrestricted free agent.
While Streit turned out to be a perfect fit for Scott Gordon, Witt has not. The fan-favorite defenseman, who turns 34 on Feb. 20, shared his lack of faith in the Islanders’ system with the media. Although his play has picked up and his criticism has died down, it’s no secret Witt and the Islanders are no longer perfect for each other.
Stats: Over 40 games, he has 5 assists, is a career-worst minus-29 and averages just under 20 minutes a game of playing time.
Pluses: Despite causing disappointment with management and some fans with his outside-the-room critique of the Islanders’ defensive strategy (since tweaked, by the way), Witt is a tremendous team player. On the ice, he is positively Old School in his approach – blocking shots, hitting hard, playing hurt. This is a needed quality for contenders because the NHL playoffs, thank heaven, are still played Old School style. The fearless Witt would be invaluable in a seven-game series.
Another intangible: the 13-year NHL vet badly wants a Stanley Cup and only has 2-4 years after this one left.
Minuses: Much more than his 34 years on earth and stay-at-home speed, the minus-29 will stick with NHL organizations whose scouts are too lazy or too dumb to see what the acquisition of Brendan Witt could do for their teams.
Trade Hurdles: If Brendan had not been signed to the two-year extension, his trade could have definitely brought back the Islanders a very late first-round draft pick in 2009. Now that he’s on the hook for two more years at a reasonable but still big-ticket $3 million per, matters are much more complicated.
Wild Card: If the Islanders are successful in their rebuild, they will be looking for a Brendan Witt in the next year or two. If GM Garth Snow does not get his price at the March 4 trade deadline, the Islanders could hold on to the veteran dman. The Islanders’ mid-season adjustments to their neutral zone coverage illustrates that nothing is set in stone.
The GM Sales Pitch: “Detroit had and still has Chelios. The Devils had Daneyko. Every legit contender needs a hard-nosed defenseman like Witt. Puh-leaze…don’t try to con me about the stupid plus-minus. Guy plays his bag off and we have the worst record in the league – what the heck do you expect? Okay, so he’s not a perfect fit with my coach. He is with yours. Hey, it’s your call. I’ve got at least four other teams poking around.”
True Value: A late first round pick if the Islanders take an unwanted salaried player (estimate: $1-2 mill a year) back in the deal. For a straight-up trade, a second-round pick or solid defense prospect.
Although a trade with Nashville is unlikely because they already rented Brendan in 2006, a dman like the Preds’ Roman Josi is the kind of prospect we’re talking about. Josi, a Nashville second round pick last summer, is 6-1, 190, moves the puck and he’s from Switzerland!
If Garth Snow is okay with dealing with the Devils (why the hell not?) and Lou Lamoriello needs a roughousing defenseman he can count on, then we’ll take Brandon Burlon, a New Jersey second round pick in 2008. Burlon is a freshman at the University of Michigan.
PB View: If the Islanders are committed to the go-go style, they should get the best price they can for Witt and enhance their rebuilding program. But in NHL 2009, in USA 2009, those two years left on Witt’s contract could be deal-breakers. The Islanders must get a few contenders in a bidding war. And if it means taking a salary back so they can get a top pick or prospect, they should do it. Who knows? Maybe the throw-in excels on the Island.
Prediction (as of Feb. 9*): A major toss-up. Really too close to call right now. Could depend on whether a contender or two loses vital dmen to injuries between now and March 4. If we had to put our house on the line today, we say Witt stays.
*True Value maintains the right to routinely change our predictions between now and the week before the trade deadline!
Comments.
99 Responses to TRUE VALUE: Brendan Witt
Fearless, battle-tested stay-at-home dman available
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Keith says:
Witt is a warrior. The ice is covered with his blood. If he brings decent value we have to move him. Hate to see him go but have to do it. Hopefully he can get a cup with another team (from another division). I love that Grapes said he would put him on the All-Star team!!! this is a player that +/- dont mean so much.
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Mario says:
I’ve seen the devils d-man play for Michigan on TV and he looks like what we need. I would do the trade.
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David says:
“Because the NHL playoffs, thank heaven, are still played Old School style”.
New fan-> Hey I thought you told me it was a penalty if someone did that.
Old fan-> Well you’re half right. It’s a penalty during the regular season MOST of the time but sometimes the ref will let it go if he feels like it. Now in the playoffs they let more penalties go.
New fan-> Which ones?
Old fan-> It depends how the game is flowing and then the refs make calls based on the action.
New fan-> The game is fixed?
Old fan-> No but the NHL gives the refs enough room that they literally decide the fate of the outcome of…… HEY, why are you leaving? (Am I the only one who thinks they should look into this?) -
CB,
You’re right. Witt’s +/- unfortunately, will hurt any kind of trade proposal from other teams. I wouldn’t expect to see a very late first rounder and a prospect for Brendan. I would put my money on a 2nd-3rd rounder and a B-C level prospect at best. I still say he needs to go by March 4th to help the rebuild though.
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Swan says:
Another nice analysis, as always, C.B.
I agree with Matt, I think his value is a tiny tad higher. My guess is playoff-push teams in the need for an “old school” crease-clearing Dman like Witt will overlook this season on the Island (new coach, new system, uneven franchise, etc.). Instead, they will probably look to his Nolan years.
A mid first round straight up sounds reasonable, even with his contract. However, I’d rather have a decent prospect than the pick. Someone of Burlon’s potential sounds about right.
I’d have absolutely no problems if he stays, however. Any serious team needs a dman like Witt. Sutton is a pale comparison.
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We’d be losing more size, and grit from an already undersized team. Maybe pairing him with someone else next year could work. If we can’t trade him, he could still benefit, assuming of course, all of us will disregard the +/-.
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Dmarie says:
Awesome Post! I totally agree with you on all counts about Witt, well said.
He certainly is one of my favs out there for all the reasons you stated. And as much as I wouldn’t want to see him go (witt) I would also understand if they had to make a move, but it better be a good one!
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Dan says:
Keep him!
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Jimmy Mac says:
Trade Witt… but only if it is good value.
This guy likes it here. Good contract. Plays hard.
If we don’t get a late 1st round pick or a second and a prospect, then don’t do it.
I’m happy with keeping him.
Still say trade Weight, and Guerin.
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Funny how the system works – a guy like Witt is more valuable for this season than this season plus 2.
I think the Isles could get another 1st rounder from him, or a good prospect. Witt is the poster boy for my belief that they shouldn’t make a trade for the sake of making a trade, but if there’s a good offer take it.
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UIF says:
I have little to no credibility here, since I’ve been saying “trade Witt” for a while and will now argue the opposite.
But here’s a scenario: two years from now, when the Isles are in 7th place at this time of year, and looking forward to 6th rather than backwards to 9th, fans will be clamoring for Garth Snow to bring in a “Brendan Witt-type player.” The Isles, realizing the lack of physicality on the back end, will pull some large, but positionally awful has-been off of the $1.99 bargain bin (remember Van Imp?), who will do nothing to help their chances, and will fall over his own feet trying to keep up with the skilled forwards on the Washington Capitals in the first round. All the while, they could have just kept Witt, who has proven repeatedly that he can stick to and completely frustrate an opposing franchise’s premier player, when actually given that assignment.
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KP says:
I’m not in favor of dealing Witt personally.
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While I love Witt and think he can still help this team and can DEFINATELY help a contender, I think that it’s becoming increasingly clear that the reason he has been seen as a top d-man is because of his partner. Martinek has made his partners look great and it’s unfortunate that he hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves.
CB, I’d like to hear your thoughts or see if Marty is part of your potential trading chips. -
flatpoint says:
Always listen to offers, but unless blown away I would keep him.
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Jim Clark says: Witt is horrible, the worst player on the worst team. Getting a roll of tape for him is a great deal for the Islanders.
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C. Felix says:
I wonder if Boston or the Habs would have some intrest in Witt…
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thepolishprince says:
I’ve said it as a comment in a previous CB blog entry and I’ll say it again here. Unless a team is offering a real good return you do not move a guy like Witt. End of story.
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Jim @ 16 – Thanks for that. I needed a laugh!
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isles316 says:
Witt just looks lost and a step slow this year for us. I know he tries but he really has been terrible. It would be better for all parties if he gets traded.
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Mike from Oceanside says:
I, for one, will not shed a tear if Witt is moved. I would have moved him in a knee-jerk reaction after his comments about the coach’s system. We’re trying to grow a team of youth, with vets showing “how-it’s-done”. His comments outside the room clearly showed how-it’s-NOT-done. Not what I expect from a guy with a vowel on the front of his sweater.
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Isles1972 says:
As much as I love Witt, I would trade him if the right deal cam along. I would try to package Witt with one of the other vets to a team in need of both a defenceman and forward (i.e. Montreal). Maybe this way we not only get a first round pick, but also a better prospect, or player with the big club already that is younger and fits Gordon’s style.
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JPinVA says:
I know everybody is in TRADE EVERYBODY for picks mode, but I’d have to say Witt would be the LAST player I’d trade for anything.
Reasoning:
1. If Guerin and Weight are traded, they make room for younger offensive prospects to get more NHL ice time next year. Witt makes room for ??? Callahan (Who I’d like to see get more time in the NHL anyway, but instead of Gervais or Pock).
2. No Guerin and there are 2 possibilities for captian. Hunter, and Witt. I think the whole “out of the room” stuff was blown out of proportion. He didn’t say it couldn’t work, he said it needed work… and Gorodn worked on it, and they are BETTER FOR IT. That’s what captains do. What he told logan was probably spun to be worse than it was in context.
3. Personally, I’d take a shut down “D” over any other type. A proven one is hard to find, and can be a bigger asset leading by example. This team still doesn’t have a full time defensive coach.
4. The Islanders can not afford to go backwards on D. There is no wiggle room there at all… and any wiggle room they might have is on IR… EVERY YEAR!
I don’t care what you could get for Witt, I’d have him back. He’s another guy that RESIGNED with this club becasue he wanted to play here. That just can’t be overlooked anymore. -
aim says:
Hey remember what I have said in the past….Phiily got Braydon Colburn for our castoff Zhitnik. Our GM was only able to get Freddy Meyer for the same player sooo I say if you can do a deal and get a Coburn type ya gotta do it. If all you can bring back is another Freddy Meyer Witt should stay right here. Snow screwed up once by not getting what he could have for Zhitnik so lets get FULL value if Witt is to go.
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CT Isles Fan says:
Would be tough to see him go, but he should bring back a very good return. Snow is stingy and wouldn’t trade him unless there was a nice piece coming back.
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Bri on Li says:
Hey CB,
Did Witt have any idea Ted was going to be fired when he signed the extention? Any idea what his initial reaction was?
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guerin13 says:
aim, don waddell massively screwed up trading coburn for zhitnik. there was no reason for snow to think that any gm would do something that stupid. meyer and a 3rd was more than enough for a mediocre at best d-man like zhitnik. don’t blame snow for waddell’s error. as for witt, if we get an offer like chris described, go for it, if not then keep him. simple as that.
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Otter says:
Love what Witt brings to the game, but have to admit he’s expendable. Guys like him are what teams looking to make a late season push need. He can provide that spark with his physical ability and hard nosed attitude. +/- aside, if Snow is shrewd enough he should be able to generate a nice return for a guy who’s reputation is that he gives it his all every single night.
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Willis says:
I find myself thinking along the same lines as UIF regarding Witt. Not everyone has to be a perfect fit for the style of play Gordon is still working on and it is very tempting to want to hold onto him for when it is our turn to be a contender in the not toooo distant future. Of course if you get a great deal you have to take it. But in my opinion Gordon’s style is not cemented 100% yet and I don’t want to “wish we still had him”!
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Bri #27 it has been printed that Witt was not a big fan of Ted. Geurin #28 yes Philly fleeced Waddell but if you wait it out and get a team dying to make the playoffs go for it get that type player Good Gm’s will pull it off. Snow is IMO way over his head still and was not able to pull of a fleecing like that. Hey look at some of the deadline deals over the years we have usually been the team getting fleeced…thanks mike…my point get the awesome deal like the Philly deal was or just keep him he may have value to us if we finally turn the corner
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admin says:
Guerin13: I have to thank you. I will be addressing that subject in a larger post later on, but if everyone is waiting for the next Zhitnik-Coburn trade they will be waiting a while.
You can definitely make the argument that Snow didn’t get full value, fine. But don’t hold up Coburn as evidence. That was an out-of-left-field mistake that Don Waddell will always live with. Anyone waiting for another deal like that is not dealing in reality.
Bri on LI: Brendan and Ted were not tight, so I doubt the dman cared…CB
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jonsson3 says:
#25.. Zhitnik? where is he now? russia? Witt does nothing when he has the puck. All he does is chip it out of the zone, if he doesn’t give it away. I’m sure there is someone out there who can block shots, clear the front of the net and at least hold the puck for a second and make a good pass to a team mate instead of just dumping it out. 40 games and 5 assists please.
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Cahoward28 says:
Am I the only one wondering why 2 different defenseman that were drafted in the second round last year are being touted as good prospects for us to acquire when we ourselves drafted 2 defenseman in the second round last year? Did we screw that up or do we need to have every good defenseman that was drafted in the second round last year? Just curious.
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Can it be possible that all 4 of them are pretty good? LOL…CB
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jbranny says:
I chuckle whenever I read that Witt is a “Shutdown Defenseman”. That may have been true when he was younger and could skate, but he looks terrible to just mediocre every night, especially against faster teams.
His gaps are awful. He gets beat all over the ice. He doesn’t shut down anyone. Yes, I agree the +/- stat doesn’t tell it all, but look at the disparity between his +/- and the other Ds.
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Rob says:
If we could get a late first rounder,to go along with the 3 second rounders we already have, that would give us soo much more leverage to move up even higher into the first round if there was a guy the scouts were targeting at like 10-15 range..
What I don’t understand is how Witt having two years left at a very reasonable 3-mil per is a bad thing… If I’m a team giving up a first or second rounder, or a prospect, I want to know the guy I’m getting in return will be around a while… Especially if his contract is reasonable and the guy is a warrior, like Witt.
An example of what I’m talking about, how did we all feel after giving up all those prospects and a 1st rounder and watching Ryan Smyth walk after 15 total games as an Islander?? -
Agreed, I’m just pointing out that we’ve already traded Filatov to get Ness, but I guess it can’t hurt to have too many guys on D, especially since we don’t have a ton in the system.
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no problem chris. i look forward to your post on that subject. it’s always been a pet peeve of mine that snow got blamed for waddell’s bad gm’ing.
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LIwolverine says:
I would love to get Burlon back in exchange for Witt as CB suggests. I dont think the Devs will make that move. I go to Michigan and have seen Burlon play all season, he’s big, skates very well, and handles the puck. No doubt he’s an NHL defenseman.
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This team needs defence. Who in Bridgeport is ready for next year?
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CB is it not nice to dream lol There has to be somone out there ready to screw up like Waddell did. I remember how I cringed when I saw that deal I could not beleive Philly pulled that off. Im happy keeping Witt if we are not going to get an amazing deal in return. I just think Witt brings alot to the table both on the ice and in the room.
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mw147 says:
I would trade one of Martinek and Witt, whichever can bring back the better return. They both have a lot of wear and tear and I can only see them going downhill as we start to get better.
I would not mind trading both, but we just do not have the depth right now to do that.My personal preference would be to trade Martinek and keep Witt. They both get injured, but Martinek misses substantial time almost every season.
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Daryl C says:
CB…what would you think of a Witt for O’Brien + a pick from Van?
From what I understand he is young (25?), tough, can skate, and on the outs in VCR. -
R.J. says:
My gut tells me that Witter is gone.
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Daryl C….I would love that trade. He’s not afraid to drop the gloves either.
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Jethro09 says:
I might be in the minority here, but I really don’t want to see this guy moved. Brendan Witt is exactly the type of player that every team needs. He has a ton of character and grit and is a shining example of how to play the game. I think if Guerin is traded or not re-signed, Witt’s the next captain (if he’s not moved). There is nobody I’d rather have on the Isles showing the younger players how to play by example than Witt.
That being said, I think that if a team overwhelms the Isles with an offer for Witt, they’ve got to pull the trigger. But any offer they take for Witt needs to be better than merely a late second rounder. If its not, its not worth moving him. Unless he wants out, which may be the case, but I hope its not.
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Bryan says:
I hope you are right. I would hate to see Witt go. This team needs a little nasty and without Witt and Jackmen we basically have none.
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Chris,
Quick question. I see you noted that Witt and Nolan were not very close yet every time Nolan was on TV all he talked about was how great Witt was and what a warrior Witt was and the value he brought to the team. If they werent close couldn’t he have just not mentioned Witt at all?
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Don’t get me wrong…I love Witter. He’s the kind of player every team needs. However, if you can get a younger, similar player plus a pick in return, I think you have to do it.
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mm30 says:
I don’t trade him if the return isn’t worth it…he’s a veteran physical d-man who wants to play here. We have no D-Man prospects of the physical nature and its an intangible you need. Again unless someone gives us a nice return you should just keep him.
some other things…
I don’t think VAN will move O’Brien—they are going to lose some key players this summer and need all the homegrown talent they have.
Zhitnik trade was made in November and was a salary dump—the draft pick and Meyer were nice additions on top. Zhitnik was at the start of year 2 of 4 making money he shouldn’t have been. The deals of Zhitnik and York allowed the Isles space to get Smyth/Zednik…plus Don Waddell is the new Mike Milbury.
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Angelos says:
I don’t understand how his +2 years on his contract is a negative. Shouldn’t it be a plus knowing you’re not giving up a prospect/draft pick only to rent a player for 2 months?
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Please leave witter alone, pretty please. By trading him we not only weakining our defence but what message does it send to the rest of NHL players? Guy sign an extension, when nobody wants to sign with us and no gets kicked out off the team? Not fair…
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mrlbem says:
Doesn’t Pittsburgh’s roster scream out for a player like Witt? Perhaps there’s a fit there for a Number 1 coming back our way. Besides, how many superstar first rounders will Pittsburgh be able to afford to pay?
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Pitt needs secondary scoring and a puck moving defensemen…they don’t need Witt.
The Isles will probaly have to wait to see if Pronger is moved and what he brings back to gauge the market…and then you have a starting point to work down from.
I would have to think teams are going to look at Boumeester,Niedermayer and Pronger first before they look at the rest.
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mw147 post #43
I’ve said this on IslanderMania and I will say it here:
Trading a guy like Martinek is a bad move. Yes he gets hurt but what is the alternative? I would much rather have Marty for 50 games than the likes of Drew Fata for 82. At least you can count on Marty when he’s in the lineup. -
Martinek @$1.5M for 2 more years is an absolute bargain. Add Sutton/Meyer to the depth at “D”, and they might keep us in the playoff conversation through january next year… while we work with two mediocre but improving lines up front, and add some nice prospects from the past four drafts. Start dumping “D” now and this team will be a Ben and Jerry’s on the concourse away from being an ECHL team.
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Tony says:
I think we should trade Witt. His poor play this year is soooo noticeable.
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Brian G says:
JPinVA….just in case you haven’t noticed this team is horrible with or with out Martinek…I say trade him if you can get something back for him, also trade Witt if the price is right.
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I sorta think our entire defense needs to be changed. Besides Streit, I don’t think any are that solid.
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Dally Mac says:
Trade the vets, get younger, then bigger.
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316 – Out of curiosity, did you feel the same last year? I just don’t think the D guys we’ve liked for years coincidentally became horrible right when the team switched to “kamikaze offense” system. More likely, it has to do with a lot less team D, especially little to no support from the forwards. Team communication is also critically important for a defenseman, and from all the running around in their own zone earlier in the year, you could see it wasn’t where it should be.
Even Gordon recognized this and has altered the system. Since then, team D has been much better. Earlier in the year, on a given play you had essentially four guys attacking deep in the zone for the Isles and Brendan Witt (or whoever) back by himself. I challenge any defenseman in any league to enjoy much success in that environment.
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good article. nice value too. him and weight should be our top priorities at the deadline becasue they can get back the most. to replace him in the offseason is the obvious koniserek and if not then hal gill. not as much as a warrior as witt but a leader and a giant. plus we have hamonic in the juniors who will be our future witt. i think i would settle for the first and get doherty. guy is 6’8 and an animal. also, if we trade him to the devs then we can take rupp back. easy as pie.
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Brian,
the team has turned a corner defensively. It’s not THE corner, but A corner.
The roster needs to be managed over three year intervals (IMO) to go through a successful “rebuild… and to keep it competetive afterwards.
When we think about who/why to trade you have to keep the 3 year away picture in focus. I see Marty and Witt keeping the team in games next year. Next year Snow will have to re-assess his depth at “D”.
With the roster so thin, and unsigned players most likely heading elsewhere I certainly wouldn’t want to dump a signed asset. -
The signing today of Macdonald in St.Louis is what I would love to see the Isles do. He was traded for Weight last year at the deadline. Not only did St. Louis get younger and a skilled centre, they also got a guy who fits in well there and is now there for another four years. The Isles need to try and pry away younger players that can play. If you trade Witt, they try to get a younger, tough defencean (i.e. Methot from Columbus) and if you trade Weight, Comrie etc., I’m sure there are young forwards out their that the Isles could get.
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Isles4cups says:
UIF – good comments on the style change. Keep in mind that Doug Weight didn’t have a very good year last season either.
I’d like the Isles to keep Witt, but like a lot of other posts, if they are offered a deal which you couldn’t refuse, I think they’d have to take it.
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65-Isles1972
Methot is a best…I would love to get him but I don’t know if they’d move him…I like Kris Russell a lot also but he is a small puck moving d-man and I think we need a banger for the future.
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UIF, I didn’t like them last year. My originally comment came off harsh But I don’t like the defense because they are physically dominated in most games. They don’t hit anyone for the most part, they are slow and undersized and besides Streit, none of them are consistent offensive threats.
I think Martinek,Campoli and Meyer could be part of a defense and be solid but together their styles don’t mix to make a fanstastic unit.
I sorta think they are all average at best. -
I’m also the biggest fan of having Andy Sutton moved to any team but ours. He is 6ft6inch and plays like he is 5ft6. He only hits when he is taking penalties and after the whistle.
Our goalies have to deal with players in their crease constantly and we don’t do anything about it! It’s my biggest issue that hasn’t changed since 2001-2002. -
Pains me to say it, but despite improved play since the public Airing of System Grievances, I’m still in favor of trading Witt for a halfway decent return.
For a good return, they absolutely should accept salary back. Barring contract extensions, there’s a lot of UFA money coming off the books this summer.
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Jim M says:
I love Witt just as much as the next guy but his game just isnt what it used to be. I love how he leaves it all out on the ice taking blocked shots like its his job but he is having alot of trouble keeping up this year. I wouldnt be upset to see him dealt by march 4
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Hock says:
After reading a lot of these comments, it sounds as if Hedman could be a solution. Size and youth….an upgrade to our D. That said, I would keep Witt becasue he is our only true physical presence on D.
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Please do not trade Martinek!!!! Martinek, Steit, and Campoli are the only offensive minded d’men we have. Add Bruno and Sutton and I really think we have a pretty good, although not great, defense. Trade older for younger, faster forwards. We need someone with speed who can make defensman back up. Nobody on offense scares the d’men from other teams.
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Mario – Martinek was never an offensive defenseman….its time for a change of scenery with this guy, if we can get a younger Defenseman & a draft pick…you have to do it….this guy would look better on another team…instead of looking down the road in 3 years when this guy won’t even be a part of this roster…JPinVA, we can find other guys that could keep us in the game
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Tony says:
Maybe Witt isn’t having a banner year but when we get back to the playoffs he’ll play like gold.
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Jerky says:
And lets not consider Gervais in our future plans either … he wouldn’t even be a 7th d-man on the other 29 teams in this league. He has no physical presence, limited stick handling ability, no offense (has it been 200 games yet since he last scored?) and is not the quickest skater either. Anybody (even the aforementioned Drew Fata) would be an upgrade to Gervais.
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Brian G
Why would Martinek need a change in scenery??? He’s consistently our best d-man. Yes he gets hurt all the time but having him in the lineup gives the Isles a top defender that can skate, move the puck out of the zone, and keep some of the best players in the world, i.e. Ovechkin, Malkin, Kovalchuk, off the score sheet.
Any trade we make involving Marty would NEVER bring back a decent return. 2nd round pick, project player, Thomas Pock. That is what replaces Marty. If Marty played over 70 games a year, he’d be considered one of the best D-men in the league. Unfortunately he does get hurt but having him on the team is better then not. My 2cents. -
I’m pretty sure that in Roster Management for Dummies, Chapter 1, Page 1, Paragraph 1 it reads… “Deal from strengths to improve weaknesses”
for the past three years we’ve had defencemen that can’t skate, on steroids, couldn’t push a 9 year old girl out of the crease, or hit shirley hemphill’s rear end from the point. But when we do have a guy who performs the majority of his responsibilities well, and is signed, we trade him for a third rounder because a few fans think he sucks.
WELCOME TO THE NY ISLANDERS SCHOOL OF HOCKEY… your instructor today will be Mike Milbury. Have a nice day. -
MiKe says:
As much as I love Witt as an Islander, I’d hope he gets traded to a team that could get him a ring, for his sake. Its totally justifiable. Let Witt go…
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pollard park says:
i would without a doubt trade him! you need to get younger and faster on d,with the new rules. you are not going to get jack sh*t for comrie, he is horrible!!!!
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doc says:
Why do we care if Witt gets a ring anywhere but with the Islanders??? Since when are the Islanders in the business of making sure some of the future ex-islanders get rings???
Makes no sense.
Ray Bourque looking to be traded to Colorado, after arguably one of the greatest careers in the NHL, is an exception!!!
DOC
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jethro09 is that you johnny tonelli?
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slapshot723 says:
I think Chicago and Phoenix would be nice places for Witt. Neither has a hard-nosed defenseman and they are both looking for a strong playoff push.
I think we could get Shawn Lalonde from Chicago. An offensive defenseman drafted in the 3rd round in 2008 with A LOT of offensive potential.
Not sure what kind of defensive prospect we could get from Phoenix, but they have a few guys the Islanders should take interest in.
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nyislanders93 says:
I think it is time to upgrade this defense by just getting rid of a lot of them for picks. Keep Streit, Campoli, Meyer, and maybe Sutton and get rid of Witt, Martinek, and Gervais. This Islander team we have right here isn’t that disgraceful, WHEN they’re on the ice. Their entire roster is injury prone and it is time to get rid of the worst, that being Martinek and Gervais. We can get a decent return for Martinek and Witt and we really have to take it. 320+ man games lost due to injury is unacceptable.
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Lance79 says:
I think the Witt trade only makes sense in one of two scenarios:
1) The return for him includes a young defenseman who can at worst step in next year in training camp into Witt’s role and at best grow into it now (i.e. balance of this season); the market will determine just how much of a blue chippper we get in return
2) We get a draft pick provided that Snow somehow thinks that one of Ness, Harmonic, Andrew MacDonald or Dustin Kohn is ready for prime time; here the market controls the draft pick we get in return (and given that Witt’s got more bad vibes than good this year and is certainly no faster, I think a second rounder is pretty generous).
As CB said, this is the second time Witter’s getting traded – Nashville got knocked out I think in the first round when he got traded the first time around (2006 I think, where Nashville did indeed snag a first rounder in what was surely a much friendlier sellers market). Does anyone wonder if that sticks to him at all? I mean if a GM is dumb enough to lament his +/- on a last-place team, why not go all the way arbitrary and say, “Well, Nashville lost when they got him as a rental, why should I do that now?”
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19 ISLE in NJ 22 says:
Witter will only be looked at by high end playoff teams IMO … so I wouldn’t trade him to any of em unless it’s a first round pick or B- prospect that has no room to move up … If a top tier team offers a second rounder … that means late second round pick … Witter even at -29 on the worst team in the league is worth more than that at age 34 … I still think on the right team he as plenty left to give … and as you said … maybe in 2 years he’ll be the right fit for the Isles when they are ready to make a move up the standings.
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Also … I think Brendan would really have a good shot at boosting teams to Stanley Cup Sure Shot … like .. Bruins, Sharks, Caps and Calgary.
He’d be that shut the door kinda d-man that aleady compliments a good defense corps …
As far as mid tier playoff teams … he’d help steal a few games in a 7 game playoff … and may be the difference maker to elevate their chances.
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ISLESFAN999 says:
I would really prefer to trade Witt. He is an excellent player on a good team. We are not a good team and will not be a good team for at least 2 yrs. In two years witt will not be good. I would be happy with a #2 and a prospect or just a very good prospect.
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Strummer's Army says:
Good article Chris but I don’t want to see anymore small puck moving d-men coming this way. There are plenty of larger more physical guys equally adept at moving the puck.
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Pete DeBenedetto says:
picks and prospects….picks and prospects
witt, sutton, comrie, guerin, weight…none of them should be on this team the day after the deadline…like them all…all decent….but this rebuild needs to be 100%…not 80, not 90.
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Dadi says:
Keep Witty the warrior, trade Comrie &… Gordon…
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#91 I totally agree with you. Id trade all the vets… The only problem is sutton is hurt so I would trade him next yr or this summer.
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bcarroll25 says:
i wouldn’t trade with jersey,i’d be afraid lou would take garth to the cleaners.
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Westfall says:
Interesting Stats on this topic:
Isles record w/Martinek: 10-10-1
Isles record w/o Martinek: 6-21-4Witt’s +/- when Martinek plays: -9
Witt’s +/- when Martinek is out: -20In the 19 games Witt and Martinek have both played this year, Witt has been even or plus in 10 of them.
The above explains some of the reasons for Witter’s reduced effectiveness this year, and also demonstrates Marty’s underrated value.
On a team where even our own GM says its hard to recruit free agents, we have a solid, shutdown veteran defenseman who is signed at a reasonable price for two more years. He has publicly stated he wants to be here. He is a leader, a warrior, and literally bleeds for this team. Why again do we want to trade this guy? If I’m the GM it better be a pretty damn good offer.
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SIR WILLIAM says:
Chris, My impression of Witt this year is that he came back from an injury that was not fully healed in order to help a floundering team. Thus his play suffered and his +/- was affected.
I beleive that we have seen the return of the healthy Witt over the last few weeks and that is the reason that he play has improved dramatically and that it has nothing to do with Gordon and his so called tweaking.I watched Witt when he came back and it was obvious to anyone who ever skated that he could not push off his injured leg. Still he attempted to play through it because that’s the type of player he is.
Witt stays and the islanders will be better for it…SW
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Martinek stinks. He refuses to take the body and that results in a lot of goals against. You saw it on the Reasoner goal. He if often out of position. Bad passes. Injury prone. If I could get anything for him I would he is the Isles more overrated player.
I’d keep Sutton.
I’d trade Witt for the proper return.
Comrie, Weight, Hilbert, and Guerin are definites to go.I’d see what I could get for Freddy Meyer, Dustin Kohn and Mark Katic. The last two are prospects with no gaurantees they will ever be an Islander. Kohn has OK size but isn’t that physical, Katic is very small and they Isles have plenty of small puck movers.
Geravis would be gone.
Pock, Sim, Tambelleni gone if there is a return out there.
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I agree with SW … I think Snow shouldn’t even offer up Witt … I think Witt coming off injury really wasn’t himself … and in the Go-Go system it was more apparent he wasn’t healthy.
I think Snow only considers an offer for Witt if it’s a deal that knocks his socks off. To me that is a 1st round pick (Or a combo including multiple players / picks) or a B- or better prospect that is stuck in a system with no room for a good young player at his position at this time.
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Hale says:
your not getting a first round pick for witt; not with that contract or his play…bet on a mid tier prospect or a 2nd or 3 round pick…a 1 ain’t gonna happen
I think he will be traded by the dead line and he will fetch a late first or a second and a decent prospect. Anything less would be a bad trade.