Willie Mitchell!!!!!!!!!

[Frolov 6'3]

i can't view the video at work. what is it? im assuming it's Willie out skating

No he's sitting in a jacuzzi drinking a pina colada cocktail.

 

[Reaper45]

He looks good, but I wont consider him back until he's on the ice for game 1 next season.

 

[agentfouser]

Am I the only one who thinks that his skating looks labored and super tentative? I mean, it's great to see him moving at all, but the season starts in three months and given his past he doesn't look great. What IS great to see is his attitude. The dedication is brilliant, and obviously I would desperately love to have him back. This video, I think, just doesn't make him look that close, given the events of the past year.

 

[mbar]

Could this possibly be a sign that there is dissension between Willie Mitchel and DL ? Like, perhaps DL is encouraging Willie to go on LTIR so the Kings can get the cap space and Willie is like "FU, I'm coming back next year".

this makes things tougher on DL if there is a possibility Willie can come back that this is going to play out till training camp meaning is options for resigning Scuderi are more limited.

I can just see us letting Rob Scuderi go only to find out early in training camp that Willie Mitchel's knee is no better really.

Tough situation for the Kings. As much as i want to add another top left wing that would be meaningless if we lose our great defensive identity by losing both WM (to injury) and Scuderi (to free agency.)

 

[Alisa]

<3

Love the passion and the drive. That's why this man is a force out on the ice.

Looking good, Willy! Happy to see it!!

 

[cyclones22]

Good grief, folks. Mitchell is 36, not 46. Defensemen play and can be effective into the later stages of their 30s. Mitchell does not rely on his speed, so I don't see an age issue. If he's deemed 100% by training camp, great. But either way, he's already been bought and paid for. So to keep him on the shelf if he can play or discard him altogether like others have intimated, is just crazy. The knee is the big question, but have any of you thought about the benefits to the rest of his body for missing a year? If Mitchell makes it back, I'll bet anyone he's not playing 15 minutes a game like some have suggested.

 

[KingsFan7824]

Am I the only one who thinks that his skating looks labored and super tentative? I mean, it's great to see him moving at all, but the season starts in three months and given his past he doesn't look great.

I don't think anyone can tell anything from a quick video. Labored and super tentative? Is that what you see, or what you think you see? Is he supposed to be in mid-season form while skating around an empty rink? Is June go-all-out time for him? I'm not sure anyone needs to start playing that game yet.

Tough situation for the Kings. As much as i want to add another top left wing that would be meaningless if we lose our great defensive identity by losing both WM (to injury) and Scuderi (to free agency.)

If anyone had said before the season that Mitchell and Greene would play 5 games combined, I'm guessing it would've been the apocalypse in terms of team predictions.

Defensive identity is a collective thing. The Kings were without Mitchell and Greene during the regular season, Regehr until the deadline, and Quick was coming off his injury. What were the results? Still top 10 in GA.

Don't worry about a top LW, since the Kings don't have the cap space for one.

 

[DapperDan]

Wow, that is tremendous, the best news I've heard since Greene coming back. Even a Rusty Mitchell would be a huge boost to the blueline.

kinky

 

[KINGS17]

I'd rather take my chances and still sign Scuderi and if Mitchell comes back, that is a huge bonus and a plus. Let's remember he missed a full year of hockey, we can't expect him to log 20+ minutes right off the bat. Has to work his way back in and get himself back to playing shape.

Now if Mitchell does get back and the Kings do somehow re-sign Scuderi, imagine the insane amount of depth and size on the blueline.

Scuderi-Doughty
Mitchell-Voynov
Regehr-Greene
Muzzin
Martinez

Of course, some players will have to be moved if that is the case, the likely candidate being Martinez. I'd also be hesitant having Regehr and Greene as a pair as the two lack foot speed and it breaks the Kings' tendency of having a puck mover and a stay-at-home player on defense. Either way, it's a good problem to have. Better to have too much depth than no depth at all.

I agree with this 100%. I think Martinez already has one foot out the door as well. IF Mitchell makes it all the way back, and I think it's still a pretty big "if", then you can deal one of Scuderi, Mitchell, Greene or Regehr. Personally, I would keep the three that we won a cup with. Greene is the absolute keeper in that list for me.

I still have a thing for either Paajarvi in Edmonton, or Grabner of the NYI. Don't know if Grabner can play LW, but maybe Martinez could be involved in a deal that could land us some depth on the wing.

 

[The Butcher]

Could this possibly be a sign that there is dissension between Willie Mitchel and DL ? Like, perhaps DL is encouraging Willie to go on LTIR so the Kings can get the cap space and Willie is like "FU, I'm coming back next year".

this makes things tougher on DL if there is a possibility Willie can come back that this is going to play out till training camp meaning is options for resigning Scuderi are more limited.

I can just see us letting Rob Scuderi go only to find out early in training camp that Willie Mitchel's knee is no better really.

Tough situation for the Kings. As much as i want to add another top left wing that would be meaningless if we lose our great defensive identity by losing both WM (to injury) and Scuderi (to free agency.)

The only flaw in this thought process is that WM is the ultimate judge of what is right or wrong with his body. The Kings were practically begging him to come back last year but he held out. Now he's just going to rush back too quickly?

Vancouver tossed him out like damaged goods as well and look at where they are without him.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

I feel like Slava's going to make $4.5M. Dunno why, just do. And Holloway isn't signing with us. You guys really just need to move on.

We just don't have the cap to keep all four defensive defenseman. Trade Regehr and sign Scuderi is the ideal situation but we all know Scuds will be let go rather than trading a guy we just traded for.

I dont see us trading regher after all he waived a ntc to come here. He also resigned for less then his market value to stay here. If willie is healthy im hoping dean trades suderi rights ( i think a 2nd is a possible return or 3rd with a b player to help out man.)

 

[KINGS17]

I dont see us trading regher after all he waived a ntc to come here. He also resigned for less then his market value to stay here. If willie is healthy im hoping dean trades suderi rights ( i think a 2nd is a possible return or 3rd with a b player to help out man.)

Dean would need to call Homer before Philadelphia is out of picks. The Flyers like ex-Pens.

 

[BigBrown]

If Regehr were to be moved my guess is Dean asks him which teams he'd be interested in going to, and they'd try to make that work and accept a lesser return. Or he could just Visnovsky him, who knows

 

[agentfouser]

I don't think anyone can tell anything from a quick video. Labored and super tentative? Is that what you see, or what you think you see? Is he supposed to be in mid-season form while skating around an empty rink? Is June go-all-out time for him? I'm not sure anyone needs to start playing that game yet.

Sure, I guess I'm just saying that this video, in the context of what we have heard from Lombardi on the matter, doesn't really tell us anything new. It happily reaffirms Mitchell's outstanding attitude and professional commitment, which is great, but it doesn't seem to show anything that suggests he'll actually play next year.

 

[KingCanadain1976]

Dean would need to call Homer before Philadelphia is out of picks. The Flyers like ex-Pens.

i like that idea maybe get read instead Then bernier to nyi for 1st and then lw is set in a few years for a while on the cheap .

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

It'll be a tight squeeze on the cap with Mitchell back on the roster (if it happens), but I read that it is very well likely for the cap to jump up to $70M+ come next summer. I'd rather keep the blueline as is and take my chances on promoting from within to replace the departing players on offense.

 

[bmr]

I think scuderi is gone no matter what. Would love him but I think he will either go back to pitt or to play at home in long island.
The piece was huge for LA. Thought the kings overpaid to get him to LA, but feel he is worth more now.

Pittsburgh doesn't have the salary cap space to sign him. Islanders are definitely a possibility. I think it's a bummer that we would keep Regehr over Scuderi. Scuderi always seems invisible because he's doing everything right. With Regehr you notice his mistakes more.

 

[bmr]

I think Martinez is the better player, in all honesty. More composed, his confidence was just very low throughout these playoffs, I think Sutter has it out for him and his style of play. I personally feel more comfortable with Marty back there than Muzzin.

Oh and please God, no more Ellerby.

Disagree with this. Martinez has shown flashes of great play, but he also been terrible for longer stretches. Muzzin is in his rookie year and has shown that he has got a fantastic shot from the point and pretty accurate as well. I think this was like Voynov's first playoff year...they are adjusting to the demands. I'd keep Muzzin over Martinez for sure.

 

[CNS]

I dont see us trading regher after all he waived a ntc to come here. He also resigned for less then his market value to stay here. If willie is healthy im hoping dean trades suderi rights ( i think a 2nd is a possible return or 3rd with a b player to help out man.)

I know they won't trade Regehr. That would be ideal but it's not happening. And there's no shot in hell we get a 2nd or 3rd for Scuds UFA rights. We'd get a 5th rounder TOPS for trading his rights. In reality, we'll let him walk. Doesn't matter - Kevin Gravel will be here to save the day defensively soon enough. Can't wait to see him paired with Drew or Slava.

 

[bmr]

I know they won't trade Regehr. That would be ideal but it's not happening. And there's no shot in hell we get a 2nd or 3rd for Scuds UFA rights. We'd get a 5th rounder TOPS for trading his rights. In reality, we'll let him walk. Doesn't matter - Kevin Gravel will be here to save the day defensively soon enough. Can't wait to see him paired with Drew or Slava.

I don't know much of Kevin Gravel. Have you seen him play? I'm also interested to see what Forbort and Miller amount to. Deslauriers has been a disappointment.

 

[CNS]

I don't know much of Kevin Gravel. Have you seen him play? I'm also interested to see what Forbort and Miller amount to. Deslauriers has been a disappointment.

I've seen a lot of Kevin...and every time makes me more excited. The kid is a stud. Just a smart player who's very solid defensively and a guy I expect to do big things for us.

Look at our defensive defenseman right now.

Regehr brought in via trade.
Scuderi via free agency.
Mitchell via free agency.
Greene via trade.

We haven't grown any true defensive defenseman talent. I expect Gravel to change that, and in a big way.

I feel conflicted on Forbort. His offense did absolutely nothing at North Dakota. If he makes it, it's not going to be as a two way guy as most hoped he'd be. There's still hope for him to become a decent defensive guy but this year will be the big telling year what becomes of him. He's always been a project of a pick so it's really too early to just give up on him but his first year as a pro should be interesting. I haven't heard too many bad things about Miller. And Deslaurier is only a disappointment if you solely check the box score. He's been rough at times but still shows a lot of potential and he was great at the end of this last year and in to the playoffs.

 

[Bandit]

You all ****ing turned on this guy so fast. Whispers of career ending? BUY HIM OUT! I've been sitting here just waiting until he's been good to go, keeping the faith the entire time. Let Scuds walk. Willie is vastly superior.

Nobody "turned on him." Even now his ability to play effective NHL hockey is still very much in doubt. The guy missed an entire year on the wrong side of 30, you have to be prepared for life without him, but there isn't anyone on this board that wouldn't want a healthy Willie Mitchell in the lineup. Not one.

 

[SettlementRichie10]

This is why the Regehr extension was way, way too premature. He's easily the worst defensemen out of the three (Regehr, Scuderi, Mitchell) and there were way too many question marks with both Scuderi and Mitchell. If one of Scuderi or Mitchell is forced out because of the cap space allotted to Regehr, I'll be pissed.

 

[KopitarFAN]

This is why the Regehr extension was way, way too premature. He's easily the worst defensemen out of the three (Regehr, Scuderi, Mitchell) and there were way too many question marks with both Scuderi and Mitchell. If one of Scuderi or Mitchell is forced out because of the cap space allotted to Regehr, I'll be pissed.

But the chances of Mitchell having another setback are just as good if not better than the chances that he is ready for opening night, that's why the Regehr deal had to be done.

 

[KingLB]

This is why the Regehr extension was way, way too premature. He's easily the worst defensemen out of the three (Regehr, Scuderi, Mitchell) and there were way too many question marks with both Scuderi and Mitchell. If one of Scuderi or Mitchell is forced out because of the cap space allotted to Regehr, I'll be pissed.

Premature??? Skuds isn't signed and we don't know if Mitchell will be ready for months...should we have waited till September to decide if we want to re-sign a soon to be UFA?