Mitchell joins the Kings’ royal family
Defensemen Willie Mitchell has agreed to a 2 year deal worth 3.5 million per season with the Los Angeles Kings. Mitchell is a 9 year veteran who played with Vancouver last season. He missed 34 games and all of the post season with a serious concussion.
After many medical tests, the Kings got a clean bill of health for Mitchell.
They have added a physical blue liner who will be a perfect partner for Jack Johnson and will help with the loss of Matt Greene. Mitchell was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 8th round in 1996. He played only 18 games with the Devils and was traded to the Minnesota Wild at the 2001 trade deadline. With the Wild Mitchell flourished and established himself as a solid stay-at-home defenseman. He was dealt to the Dallas Stars at the ‘06 trade deadline and then signed with the Vancouver Canucks that off-season. In his career the 33 year old Mitchell has played 586 games, and has 121 points and over 600 Pim’s. Mitchell brings to the Kings a solid veteran who will add a physical presence and be a vocal leader in a young locker room. He is one of the top shut-down blue liners in the league. On the website vancouver24hrs.ca Mitchell was quoted as saying about coming to Los Angeles, “Nothing easy about making that decision, that’s for sure. I felt like they’re really interested in what I can bring to their team and they’re really excited about having me down there. I felt it’s just the right situation for me.”
Mitchell was asked about joining the King’s young blue line. “They have really good young defensemen there, I like their mix,” he said. “They have a lot of good things going on down there as an organization, to be honest, I really felt they were really genuinely excited to have me down there.”
Here is the Kings blue line now:
Doughty/Scuderi
Johnson/Mitchell
Fransson/Greene (upon return)
Reserves
Davis Drewiske
Peter Harrold
Thomas Hickey
Viatcheslav Voynov
Colten Teubert
People forget about Fransson, but he might be one of the most important signings the Kings made this off season. Acquired at the trade deadline 2 years ago from Dallas, Fransson just missed making the Olympic team for Sweden, He has been a solid player in the Swedish Elite League putting up 27 points and was a +14. So now the Kings have the best blue line in the division and maybe, one of the best in the league.
Mike Murangi
NHL Hot Stove
Los Angeles Kings Reporter
