We literally had Witkowski in the organization for all but two years since he turned pro in 2013. He just was never good enough to make the roster or stick around full time. He still isn't but is decent enough to play in some games while others heal or adapt to the NHL. He's not a game changer and neither are Schenn or Maroon, they're depth pieces. We need Stamkos, Kucherov and Vasilevskiy to be at their best when it matters most and they all haven't just yet.I appreciate the all-around effort by JBB to get more grit on the team even if the players are not all that great. If there's any complaint I had of the SFY years it's that our toughest dude on a given night was Callahan or Coburn. We had the most talented lineup on ice but it was milquetoast. We never had some big nasty mother like Witkowski whose sole purpose was to kill people. Schenn interjects himself into every skirmish and Big Rig won my heart when he said "Kiss the ring" to the Nashville bench. I was being too bold when I said "This is the year we win it all" a week or so ago but chalk that up to me just being in a good mood at the time and projecting it. But going into this season I'm more optimistic now than I have ever been since 2014-2015. On opening night my heart told me we were getting as far as the ECF and in 2010 I had the same feeling too. We'll see if my gut holds up this year.
But in the end there's just something about the interjection of mercenary mentality into our lineup that sits well with me and I think it's an element we've been lacking for a very long time now. We've always had our core of guys but they weren't always the toughest bunch mentally or physically. But now you've got guys like Schenn, Witkowski, Maroon and Shattenkirk and they're all mad as hell with something to prove coming into a locker room that's mad as well with something to prove.
I love it. And I'm on record that if this core can't get it done this year then we need to fire Cooper (I would have done so already or stripped Stamkos of captaincy) and adopt the 80's "Bad Boys" Pistons mentality because it's the only thing we haven't done yet besides becoming a trap team. This lineup is good enough to win it all but it hasn't had the right attitude in my estimation.
Volkov injured? Any word on what's going on there?
Yeah what’s going on with Volkov?
So whats the deal with Volkov?
I think so. Coop has been very quiet after Volkov missed the past 2 practices.The only question is for how long and what's the severity.So is Volkov injured or what?
We literally had Witkowski in the organization for all but two years since he turned pro in 2013. He just was never good enough to make the roster or stick around full time. He still isn't but is decent enough to play in some games while others heal or adapt to the NHL. He's not a game changer and neither are Schenn or Maroon, they're depth pieces. We need Stamkos, Kucherov and Vasilevskiy to be at their best when it matters most and they all haven't just yet.
Yes, they are depth pieces, and I agree that the key is still for our stars to show up when it matters. But this year we have some size and some nastiness in our depth pieces, we have guys like Shattenkirk and Verhaeghe who could improve our scoring depth, and while there’s no replacing Victor Hedman we are better situated to handle lesser injuries to our blue line than we have been in years past. So while the guys making the big bucks still need to be leaders in the postseason I think there is reason to believe that we are a better team going into this season than we were going into the last one.
Volkov had a body maintenance day. No one has even mentioned an injury so I have no idea where this is coming from.
The thing though is that for all Witkowski brings he has a career high of 4 points in an NHL season. Marion has had some bigger numbers buts it's a huge leap to go from McDavid to Paquette, he may not hit 20 this year. I'm all for a little grit out there but I also prefer someone with upside who could pot 10 goals or put up 20-25 points. Much rather Volkov out there, even though he's not suited to be a 4th liner, or Verheaghe for sure even Colton or Stephens. Give Witkowski a month while Point heals then send him down and give the kids a look. Sit Maroon a few games to play a Volkov - Verheaghe - Stephens line. A 4th line sheltered role is a good chance to ease a few kids who will help the future more than Witkowski will.