IMHO and I'm not just saying this now after the fact, I've thought and said it previously, My gut tells me he was a product of his system year more than anything and is a great AHL'er but not a good NHL'er. Just like guys like Chris Terry, Cal O'Reilly, Kenny Agostino, Cory Conacher etc etc etc Forever racking up points at every level except the NHL. Its still early but that's just my gut feeling.

So to answer your question, I'd only swap him with another AHL'er in return.

Ho-Sang

I want Ho-Sang or Puljujarvi

Zwui1: I thought the same thing couple weeks ago, what is he doing in the lineup playing AHL level in the NHL.

BUT:

I checked him couple days ago on some advanced stat sites and believe it or not, his numbers were kinda crazy good. So i wouldn't trade him for at least this year and give him full chance whenever a spot opens up, and i probably even after a horrible 2019/2020 season , i would give him more chance in 2020/2021 if he takes the minimum contract for next year as well.

Maybe all he needs is lots of games, you know when defenders needs 200 games to playing on a good level. Maybe he needs at least 50-100 to show something good in points, because as i mentioned adv stats were good. Witkowski adv stats were = worst sh_it ever. = never play in the lineup again... except if we desperate.. maybe... but probably still not...

So just be patient and one day maybe he will be good.
Also his linemates were: Tyler "im missing every scoring chance for weeks" Johnson, Yanni "grinding" Gourde, and Pat "standing still before the net or behind the net" Maroon. And he played little with Palat, but not much.
What if his playstyle only suited with skilled+strong players. You need chemistry and it doesn't develop in 10 games... Yes i agree i would like to see him scoring a goal or two + collect some assist, but until we are locked to make the playoffs, it's not the worst thing to have a better "Erne" in the lineup sometimes, when needed...

The main problem is imo, he is just not a good fit right now, but it can change anytime, when injury happens with anyone. I wouldn't break up the Cirelli line, the Kuch line and the Paq line... so where he playes and with who? That's the main problem...
Stamkos-Verheaghe-Johnson maybe in future , but idk... it's hard to fit him in right now... but all NHL teams changing the roster every year, so maybe next year he will be in a much better spot... or we trade him for huge value if somebody offers it... doubtful... maybe if we trade for Toffoli/Kreider etc... we can fit him in better in future... like Stamkos - Verh - Toffoli or similar, u can replace other players on wings... i just like these 2 as target for trade deadline...

Here is 1 stat for offense for Verhaeghe:


Explanation: Every + is good on offense. So like +5% = good stat. His stats over 20... crazy.. i know... but this site doesn't lie...
Defense stats = around league average = acceptable for a "rookie".

GREAT discussion above F3 and ZWUI .. I actually think you both are right and brings me to further take issue with all this reliance on stupid "shot ratings" which seem all in vogue (for now).

1. On Verhaege .. he is a system guy .. as is Gourde TJ Joseph etc.. the PROBLEM with system guys is you are exposed if you are a weak link when playing with other weak links .. as opposed to Point Kuch etc.. we have WAY too many system forwards who do NOT create .. only rely on others which inflates their point totals .. Gourde year 1 is epitome of inflated #s .. and we give moronic contracts to.

2. The second point is all this stupid reliance on shots as the holy grail. While it is a indicator .. not every shot is created equal AND what ever happened to goal% per dangerous shot% .. the pathetic shrimps we have are often in position to score but just dont .. they lack skill to score .. shoot into goalie .. miss the net .. fall down .. shot blocks etc.. TJ could be having worse season in NHL .. goal % of total shots is around 8% .. lowest on team but if you broke that down more .. he more pathetic .. let's bring actual scoring results back into stats not "showing up trophies" for which shots are. This is why you have Verhague Gourde etc. Looking like "All Stars" from a stat standpoint.. when they really AHL talent guys in a NHL system.

Take a look at the history of the AHL (or junior or NCAA). Often the top scorers are guys who just can't crack the NHL. Usually it's the speed of the game and the decision making at the NHL they seem to lack. Or they feast on the bottom defence pairing and goalies in the non NHL leagues.
Even team has a bunch of players ranked 25 to 32 in their system and often they are all same. just not NHL good.

We will give you Jankowski!

He needs change of scenery bad ..