He didn’t get to suit up for the first game at Little Caesars Arena but taking his first official turn on the ice as a Detroit Red Wing Saturday in Ottawa against the Senators didn’t dull the thrill one bit for Luke Witkowski. Born in Holland, Mich., Witkowski, 27, grew up watching and idolizing the Red Wings, so to be one of the them was something that dreams are made of. “Being a Michigan guy, you grow up looking up to those guys,… Witkowski said. “To put the sweater on and get a chance to play my first game here is awesome.… The 6-2, 210-pound Witkowski’s insertion into the lineup is designed to cause the other team to look out for him. “To me, he’s a different element than some of the other players so when you’re looking at comparables, he’s different,… Detroit coach Jeff Blashill said. “What I’d say to you is I personally wanted him on the team this summer, I pushed to sign him because I thought we needed some physicality and some toughness. “He brings that and I think he’s done a pretty good job.… Inserted in place of David Booth, Witkowski, capable of playing either forward or defense, skated 4:36 on Detroit’s fourth line as the Wings posted a 2-1 shootout win over the Senators. He contributed one shot. “Him and David are both real good players,… Blashill said. “David had a good game in very, very short minutes, so he couldn’t have a great game because he didn’t play enough to, but with Luke he brings forecheck pressure, physicality, grind time in the O-zone. “He’s defensively responsible, he’s been a defenseman most his life. He just brings a presence with his physicality.… It’s that latter quality that will make Witkowski unique among Red Wings players. There aren’t many on the roster who play the game with an edge, who cause the opposition to be wary of what miscreant deeds they might opt to commit, and who allows his own teammates to skate a little taller, to feel a bit braver. “He’s big and strong, physical,… Detroit forward Justin Abdelkader said. “I think he adds an element to this team that will help us throughout the long season. “Obviously he can fight if he has to. He’s a great addition this year and we look forward to his contributions.… There were two intangibles that made Witkowski attractive to the Red Wings as a free agent in the summer. Firstly was his toughness. “I wear my heart on my sleeve and I can play that gritty game,… Witkowski said. “So, I’ll bring the chippiness.… Secondly, was his versatility to be able to play both right wing and defense. He became a swing man in junior and continued it through college, finishing last season with Tampa Bay mainly as a forward. “At times, it’s difficult,… Witkowski said. “There were games last year where I’d sit in the middle of the bench. One shift I was playing forward, one shift I was playing D. You just kind of get used to it. There’s a lot more skating forwards as a forward and more skating backwards at D.…
He soon came to realize that this ability to switch up made him a more valuable NHLer.
“I didn’t really think about it until last year,… Witkowski said. “I stepped in and actually earned more ice time. I thought maybe I can continue this and make a career out of it.… Follow me on Twitter @asktheduffer