DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings signed Luke Witkowski for toughness and versatility.
They hope he will deter opponents from roughing up their skilled players and expect him to move back and forth from defense to forward, wherever he is needed.
"He plays tough, he plays hard, he knows how to play the game," general manager Ken Holland said. "It's not only fighting, it's just being able to make the other team know that it could be a tough night and when the other team wants to play a certain way, you've got the ability to respond.