Witkowski was given the 10-game ban following Wednesday's game against the Calgary Flames where, after being assessed a game misconduct, he returned to the ice after being sticked by Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk.
"I accept and understand that the wording of the rule, combined with what happened during the incident, leave little to no chance of a successful appeal," Witkowski said in the release.
Witkowski admitted Friday that he was unaware of Rule 70.6 that states any player that returns to the bench or ice after being ejected from the game shall be assessed an automatic 10-game suspension.
This means the Red Wings will be without Witkowski until at least Dec. 11.
The omission of Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup has moved the spotlight from the sophomore star to goaltending, the club's next most valuable asset.
The Maple Leafs have gone a perfect 4-0-0 with Matthews sidelined and that can be credited almost entirely to the nearly flawless play of Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney.
The two have allowed just five goals on 153 shots - the most conceded by any team over the last 10 days - good enough for a save percentage of .967.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Andersen has played in three of the four games, and looks to have resurrected his play after a dismal first month of the season. He posted a 1.30 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage in his starts, seeing dramatic improvements in both categories when comparing November (2.29 goals-against average and .931 save percentage) and October (3.46 goals-against average and .896 save percentage).
As for McElhinney, he contributed his best game of the season Saturday when he gave up just one goal on 39 shots against the Boston Bruins.
While the Leafs' netminders have been great, it hasn't come easy. Without Matthews in the lineup, the Maple Leafs have given up a lot more chances per game, a trend head coach Mike Babcock has noticed.
"We still give up too many shots, but we’re way lower in quality chances, and that gives our goalie a chance to get into the game," Babcock said Friday, according to Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star.
There is only one problem with this assertion from Babcock, the Maple Leafs are actually - at least at even strength - giving up more high-danger opportunities with Matthews out of the lineup.
The Maple Leafs are giving up an extra six shots and at even-strength they are allowing one extra high-danger chance per game with Matthews out of the lineup.
Given the numbers, it's quite clear that when Matthews - who currently sits with a Corsi for rating of 52.1 - is in the lineup, the Maple Leafs spend far less time in their own end. In summary: less Matthews leads to more work for the team's goaltenders.
Fortunately Matthews' absence hasn't necessarily spelled doom for the club's offense, as the Maple Leafs have still scored an average of three goals per game without their prized possession in the lineup.
Matthews is a game-time decision for Saturday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens which - as far as Andersen and McElhinney are concerned - could mean a lighter workload for the two who have risen to the occasion while their No. 1 center nursed an upper-body injury.
After taking to the ice for an optional skate Saturday morning - ahead of the club's contest against the Montreal Canadiens - head coach Mike Babcock noted that Matthews would be a game-time decision, according to TSN's Mark Masters.
While a final decision won't be made until later, Babcock seemed confident that Matthews will suit up.
Babcock on whether Matthews returns: "Game-time decision. We'll see how everything is, but it looks like it's heading that way."
Auston has already left Bell Centre while Leivo, Soshnikov continue to skate
It's an odd number, so the expansion door is sure to open again in the coming years with the NHL adding team No. 32. Most recently, Houston has made noise about joining the club. It's an interesting case, given the city's size, its NHL-ready arena, and the would-be owner's financial backing.
But Houston is just one of five possibilities that should be in the cards when the NHL readies for its next expansion:
An addition in Kansas City wouldn't be a first for the NHL, after the league tried its hand with the Scouts. The experiment lasted two seasons, as the team left for Colorado in 1976 before ultimately landing in New Jersey as the Devils.
Kansas City's Sprint Center, which opened its doors a decade ago, could ice a potential team. The arena seats more than 17,500 for hockey and has hosted six neutral site games since its opening. Lamar Hunt Jr., owner of the ECHL's Mavericks, has expressed interest in bringing the NHL to Kansas City, if the price is right.
Portland
Portland hockey fans have already shown their ability to support the sport, and an NHL-built arena further helps the cause for this expansion candidate.
Portland's hockey history began in 1914 with the Rosebuds of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. Today, the WHL's Winterhawks, playing out of the Moda Center, are among the biggest draws in the junior circuit. The arena holds more than 18,000 for hockey and is currently home to the NBA's Trail Blazers, Portland's lone pro team.
The NHL has never had a team in Portland, but a move almost happened in 2000 when there were talks of the Coyotes relocating to Oregon, with ownership to be held by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, prior to a local sale that kept the team in Arizona.
Quebec City
Quebec City's bid in the most recent expansion process was deferred, leaving open the possibility for the NHL to reconsider the Quebec capital in the future.
Expansion efforts have been led by Quebecor's Pierre Karl Peladeau, with the goal of bringing back the Nordiques. The team left for Denver in 1995, in part because they were unable to find a new arena. But that's no longer a roadblock following the unveiling of the 18,000-plus seat Videotron Centre in 2015.
While an addition to Quebec City would make it eight Canadian franchises, the market still has its challenges. Home to about 500,000, Quebec City would be the NHL's smallest market. Winnipeg is next, with nearly 200,000 more people, meaning a new team would need significant gate receipts to make up for a smaller corporate base.
"It isn't going to work very well unless this building is sold out every night," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in 2011 when the Atlanta Thrashers uprooted for Winnipeg, and a similar concern could exist about Quebec City.
Seattle
The Emerald City wants hockey, and the interest from the NHL appears to be mutual. The league was disappointed it didn't receive a bid from Seattle during its most recent expansion process, but given the painstaking process to build a new arena in the city, the delay was inevitable.
That won't be the case this time around, as Oak View Group, headed by former Toronto Maple Leafs executive Tim Leiweke, is leading the charge to revamp the 1962-built Key Arena into a modern facility.
The NHL has never had a franchise in Seattle, but the sport's history in the market is extensive. The WHL's Thunderbirds are a popular draw, while the city was also previously home to the PCHA's Metropolitans. In 1917, prior to the launch of the NHL, the Metropolitans defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup.
Phil Housley is exasperated with his last-place Buffalo Sabres.
The first-year head coach was not mincing words following a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, especially after having played only one other game this week.
"We just got outbattled, outworked and outcompeted tonight" he said, per Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "At times we even looked slow and I don't know why that is. We played one game in six nights. It's disappointing."
The loss kept the Sabres two points behind Florida in the Eastern Conference basement, and dropped their goal differential to minus-23, ranking them 30th in the NHL.
Definitely the most stern I've seen Housley after any game this season. #Sabres
Phil Housley is exasperated with his last-place Buffalo Sabres.
The first-year head coach was not mincing words following a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, especially after having played only one other game this week.
"We just got outbattled, outworked and outcompeted tonight" he said, per Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "At times we even looked slow and I don't know why that is. We played one game in six nights. It's disappointing."
The loss kept the Sabres two points behind Florida in the Eastern Conference basement, and dropped their goal differential to minus-23, ranking them 30th in the NHL.
Definitely the most stern I've seen Housley after any game this season. #Sabres
A scary scene developed during ECHL action Friday.
A game between the Quad City Mallards and the Tulsa Oilers - a St. Louis Blues affiliate - was postponed after Oilers coach and former NHL forward Rob Murray suffered a medical emergency during the second period.
.@tulsa_oilers head coach Rob Murray leaves the bench area on a stretcher after needing medical attention, Friday, November 17, 2017, during the second period against the @myqcmallards at the TaxSlayer Center in Moline. The game was suspended and will be played at a later date. pic.twitter.com/sOrrm8Pc44
Murray, 50, appeared in 107 NHL games and spent the majority of his career in the AHL. He previously served as head coach of the ECHL's Alaska Aces, leading the team to a league championship in 2013-14.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas will have a phone hearing Sunday after waiving his right to an in-person meeting with the NHL's Department of Player Safety, the league announced.
Due to the timing of the hearing, Gudas will not play Saturday against Calgary, per John Shannon of Sportsnet. The missed game will be factored into the looming suspension.
Gudas was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for slashing Winnipeg's Mathieu Perreault in the head at 9:50 of the first period Wednesday against the Jets.
Here's a look at the incident:
The offer of an in-person hearing generally indicates a suspension of at least five games.
