Witt/Exelby Available, Would They Help?

The Rangers are in desperate need of help on the blue line. The news from TSN is that Garnet Exelby is available for the taking from Toronto, and Brendan Witt has been waived by the Islanders. Both would provide a veteran presence on a struggling Rangers defense. Both come with their positives. Both come with their negatives.

The positive about Brendan Witt, yes there’s a positive, is that he would be free. The 34 year old defenseman is simply a waiver claim away. Another positive is that he would provide a physical presence on the blue line. Unfortunately with Witt, his negatives outweigh his positives. He is a -18 this year, and while +/- isn’t always the best barometer of defensive value, something that extreme can’t be ignored. He is also signed through next year, to the tune of a $3 million cap hit. Ouch. I think I would pass on this one. He really isn’t an upgrade.

Then there’s the curious case of Garnet Exelby. Exelby is a solid veteran presence, with a low(er) cap number, and a UFA at the end of the year. That’s three instant positives right there, and we haven’t even touched on his play yet. Exelby has a reputation as a solid stay at home defenseman. He isn’t a bruiser like Witt, but he does the job well, and is only a -5 on a terrible Toronto team. The negative with Exelby is that he would cost something, probably a draft pick and/or a lower prospect (think Corey Locke or P.A. Parenteau, Toronto needs forwards), to obtain. You have to give something to get something.

There are going to be plenty of other options available come March 3, but with the Rangers struggling, help needs to arrive sooner, rather than later, and not at the cost of top-tier prospects. It’s a tough challenge.