The Kings have reached an agreement with defenseman Willie Mitchell for a two-year contract worth $3.5 million per year.
LATEST NEWS- WATCH: LA vs SJS Game 4 - Game Previews May 21, 2013
- Live Chat - Western Conference Semifinal: Game Four May 21, 2013
- Playoff Game Notes: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 4 May 21, 2013
- The Royal Half Preview: Kings vs. Sharks: Game 4 May 21, 2013
- Jim Fox Live Chat: Tuesday 12PM PT May 21, 2013
- WATCH: May 20th Practice Interviews May 20, 2013
- Dustin Brown Named Finalist For Mark Messier NHL Leadership Award May 20, 2013
- Kings Playoff Quiz – 2013 May 19, 2013
- WATCH: LA vs SJS Game 3 - Game Previews May 18, 2013
- Live Chat - Western Conference Semifinal: Game Three May 18, 2013
RULES FOR BLOG COMMENTING
- No profanity, slurs or other offensive language. Replacing letters with symbols does not turn expletives into non-expletives.
- Personal attacks against other blog commenters, and/or blatant attempts to antagonize other commenters, are not tolerated. Respectful disagreement is encouraged. Posts that continually express the same singular opinion will be deleted.
- Comments that incite political, religious or similar debates will be deleted.
- Please do not discuss, or post links to, websites that illegally stream NHL games.
- Posting under multiple user names is not allowed. Do not type in all caps. All violations are subject to comment deletion and/or banning of commenters, per the discretion of the blog administrator.
SOCIAL MEDIA
LA Kings Insider LA Kings Official
If he can stay concussion-free, I like this signing.
[Reply]
Lewes Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 11:49 am
@EncinoMan, Agreed
[Reply]
mrk Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
@EncinoMan,
You wouldn’t happen to own a company called Encinoman in Granada Hills would you?
[Reply]
Higher amount than I expected but good signing regardless. Hope he stays healthy or we could be headed toward another record setting year for man games lost.
[Reply]
fuzzerson Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
@Dave, Remember the Kings always have to over pay.
[Reply]
gralx Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
@fuzzerson, Jones made 4MM last year. 3.5 is not so bad.
[Reply]
djspock92 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:26 pm
@gralx, Jones made $3mil last season, but since Kings picked him up off of re-enrty waivers, they were only responsible for half his salary, Philly the other half.
He was a $1.176 cap hit.
luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
@gralx, I never liked Jones as a #4, but he got those minutes and we will never know the actual cost in missed standing points, and playoff success, but for LA dollars paid and cap space DJSPOCK is correct 1.176 mil.
King Cobra Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 8:30 am
@gralx, I Can’t Believe Jones made 3 Million!! That guy killed us…..
Anyone who chooses the kings over VAN,SJ, and WAS is a smart man in my book. Welcome to the kings Willie!
[Reply]
Yes! Finally some news coming from the Kings!
Go KINGS!!!
[Reply]
this is good news!
[Reply]
Cash is a little scary but you gotta do what you gotta do. I’ll take it. Stay healthy Willie, we’re counting on you.
At least Deano got it done.
[Reply]
well well!! I was right i called it said he would be a king back when the talk was all rumors!!
[Reply]
Yeaaaaaaaaaah! Kinda pricey…no?
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 8:58 pm
@PakiFan, You won’t think so if he stays healthy. This guy may be the best stay at home/hitting D-man in the league.
[Reply]
Homey better not go Deadmarsh on us. Fills a big need though.
[Reply]
Hugh Janus Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:19 pm
@Schoeny,
At least Marshy played a few games. He better not go Bure on us!
[Reply]
Now we must hope this is the great “fit” we’ve come to expect from DL and co…
[Reply]
$3.5 million per year? Wow. I hope he’s the next Handzus (without that terrible first year).
[Reply]
And I was just thinking today, “Wow its almost end of August and still no signings!”
I hope this works out for us and him.
GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
tantrum4 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:22 pm
@Crownme87,
In case you missed it, we signed Ponikarovski in July
[Reply]
Zhitnik2 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:38 pm
@tantrum4,
right after we missed out on the “other guy” and then couldnt get Fro to come back. Hickey and Mitchell will be an improvement over O’donnel and Jones on the back end.
[Reply]
USHA#17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
@Zhitnik2,
Hate to say it but even I’d be better then Jones. After all, my hockey sense is sharp enough to keep me on the bench and off the ice.
A healthy Mitchell is a good addition.
I like the way the defense is shaping up. If Hicky clicks then we’ll have a solid corp this year.
Bout time. Good pickup for The Kings. I too hope he stays concussion free. Now DL needs to trade for a good winger.
[Reply]
Great Signing, he’ll get us thru without Greene at the start of the season and be a great player to pair with JMFJ too.
[Reply]
Jester's Dead Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 11:55 am
@Atomic Steve,
Does he play the right side? I know TM likes Johnson better on the left.
[Reply]
Atomic Steve Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:05 pm
@Jester’s Dead, i believe he does, but i could be wrong.
[Reply]
Jester's Dead Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:33 pm
@Atomic Steve,
Looked at the highlights, he plays the left. With TM liking of a shutdown pair, he might eventually get partnered with Greene and be 1st PK unit together, still don’t have anyone to play with Jack
Sweet !!!!!!!
Finally some good news, now we just need to make sure Craig Johnson does not knee him in the head.
[Reply]
Deadmarsh Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
@C-Note20, Ouch!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
@C-Note20, Ahhh, good old Andy Murray, setting records for man games lost due to injury. Andy Murray..Never believed in giving players the day off…Unbelievable..
[Reply]
Good sign DL, quality player with some good years left in him, not too big of a cap hit either.
/cheer
[Reply]
good job Deano you gotta open the wallet to get these guys to come. maybe if we go deeper into the playoff s you wont have to over pay anymore..
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
@Rudedogg, Great point ! I agree with you, as this organization gets better the free agents will take less to play with a winner..look at the Lakers..it happens with them quite often.
[Reply]
Good. We needed one good shutdown man. We got him. Maybe this will silence all the “Deano can’t close” wackos?
Oh wait, there I go being optimistic again.
[Reply]
Seattle757 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@Bill M.,
Amen to that!
[Reply]
Wow. I guess we’re still at that stage where we have to overpay in order to get guys to come to LA.
[Reply]
Mark C. Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 11:59 am
@Some fan,
How is that overpaying? He made the same amount last year?
[Reply]
JD 54 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:16 pm
@Mark C., The fact he had a major concussion and missed half of last year. The only reason he came is because the kings offered him two years. Definatley overpaid.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 9:03 pm
@JD 54, If he stays healthy he will be one of the most underpaid guys in the league. Lets he you assessment after 2 years.
Mark C. Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 12:13 am
@JD 54,
For what he brings to the team (hard nosed, efficent defender with leadership skills), he is not overpaid. I understand the concern regarding the injury last year but look at his career (less last year), he has played an average of nearly 72 games per season for the previous 7 full seasons. One injured year does not make a career nor under value his worth? Sure if he is injured over the next two years and only plays a handful of games, totally not worth the contract. But give the guy a break and see what he does for this young team for the next two years and then judge his worth. Come on, if Mike Komisarek is paid an average of 4.5 mil per season, Mitchell at 3.5 is pretty reasonable in my book…
Very niice signing indeed (if he stays healthy)… Good job Deano.
[Reply]
YES! good signing
[Reply]
D+ -> B-
[Reply]
YES! Great signing if he can stay healthy… Wonder what Mitchell was waiting on?
[Reply]
Anaconda Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:52 pm
@Brent, Mitchell was waiting for Vancouver to make a good offer. Mitchell wanted Vancouver wanted to pay him 3M per season and take less with Vancouver, but scince Vancouver is close to the cap they only offered him 2 year 2.2M per season
[Reply]
Had to give him a little more if we only wanted 2 years. Takes out alot of risk. Great signing, once greene is back we are looking strong on that blue line. Maybe a trade coming here soon for a winger? Well see.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
@Michael_DD8, Agreed. I’d rather pay him more annually but for less years rather than more years at a lower annual cost. If (big if) he stays healthy, this could be a GREAT pickup. If not, it’s only two years.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
@sstephen17,
Same page brotha.
[Reply]
Good signing. We have the $ for the 2 years. I would rather have WM for 2 years than Hamhuis or Martin for the $ and term that it would have taken.
IF he can stay healthy, WM is a solid player and a bridge to the tykes. I like it, we need a player like him.
[Reply]
Excellent! I was hoping they would sign him since 7/1! Good deal for both sides. Go Kings!!!
[Reply]
God, I really hope he’s health! If so SWEEET!
[Reply]
Good signing. Not surprising they overpaid to get Mitchell but the team needs D, so it’s good they didn’t fool around and got it done.
[Reply]
Just think, now we have 2 Willie’s and a Johnson on the team…it’s about time DL did something…
[Reply]
MR King Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
@eyesk8r, I like where this is headed.
[Reply]
We used the one advantage we had to beat out the other teams, cap space. I wonder if any of those “teams who improved this summer” that came out in July want to make an edit.
[Reply]
luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 9:18 pm
@jet, While we do have to sign DD, JJ, WS, and others next year. We have as much as 7 mil in cap space this year if we don’t add Schenn this year. Also we have players that could be dealt to open more space, and prospects so upgrading thru trade is also very possible if DL thinks we are 1 player away anytime until the trade deadline. The Kings division other than PHX(D & O took hits, but they have cap space to fill holes) is much weaker.
[Reply]
A bit high on cash… but we kept him away from VAN and SJ, two key competitors, so it’s worth it.
And for two years, it’s not gonna kill our cap. At that time, remember, Smyth’s contract would be off the books also.
Also… we have the cap space to do it. So I don’t think that was an issue.
All in all, I like this signing for LA, as well as the fact that we kept him away from VAN and SJ. Makes us a better team, and we now have a (healthy) Top 5 D of Doughty, Johnson, Scuderi, Greene, and Mitchell. Five very good guys that’ll let the opponents know they’re on the ice.
[Reply]
Good signing. Fills the void that OD has left behind. Now all we need is a top six forward.
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@mrk,
He should be an upgrade over OD. This is a good pick-up, assuming that he has a clean bill of health (and it sounds like he has been checked out properly).
I don’t think the Kings overpaid for him. First of all, he was in a competitive bidding situation, because three other teams were interested. If DL hadn’t opened up the wallet a little (like he did with Scuderi), there would have been no deal and the froth would be spewing like nobody’s business from the rabid lips of the DL-haters who are still out there (and I use the disease metaphor with all seriousness).
Second, scvking is absolutely right: Maybe Mitchell would have taken a little less money for a longer term deal, but a 2-year contract gives the Kings a good balance between stability and flexibility. He is indeed a bridge player, and a pretty solid acquisition for all that.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
@DougS, You are right, Vancouver was clearly not the same defensively when they lost him for the season. When we played Vancouver at Staples near the end of the season when Willie was out of the lineup we ran them right out the building where as when we played them the first 3 times earlier they were a very frustrating team to play against. Now I know we lost to them in 6 games in the playoffs, but that was due to a lack of playoff experience with our youngsters more then anything. Anyway, this is a monster signing if he stays healthy !
[Reply]
about time glad this ones down with the crown …GKG
cant wait for the season to start…woohoo..
[Reply]
Overpriced, but what can you do? I’m excited to see how WM can help JJ. Let’s hope he stays healthy!
[Reply]
Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!Some good news….now to sit back and wait for Kovalchuk to sign with the Kings:)
[Reply]
Good signing. He replaces the veteran stay at home defense man we lost (not to mention, if healthy is a significant upgrade).
[Reply]
Good signing. We just need Greener back! Dean had no choice but to slightly overpay. If he had missed out on one more FA this offseason the $#!T storm would have grown a lot larger and poured down on him IMO.
[Reply]
Pretty expensive for somebody that’s an injury magnet (ala Justin Wilkliams).
Dl must be getting pretty desparate.
[Reply]
Harry Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
@anthony, Please click file, exit. This is not the Ducks Blog!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@anthony, Hey Shark fan, why are you still complaining ? You got what you wanted right ? You fired Deans Ass and you hired Doug Wilson to get you to the finals so it worked out just fi..er,uh,..NEVER MIND !
[Reply]
Mark C. Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 12:25 am
@anthony,
Less last years injury, he has averaged nearly 72 games per games of the last full 7 seasons, don’t forget this is professional ice hockey, players get injured every year. Two years ago JJ missed half the season due to an injury, is he an “injury magnet” too? I’m sure the Kings medical staff fully checked him out and would not sign him for two years if he was damaged goods…
Give the guy to the end of the 2010-11 season before making these types of comments…
[Reply]
Yeah, I can wear my “MITCHELL” Kings hockey jersey now to the games without looking like a kook.I think Willies # is 8 but Drews # is also,maybe WM will change his # to 88 like mine,I’m so giddy right now.Besides the name “WILLIE” and the nickname “WILLIE” problem we have with WM and JW,I wonder how many fans will put WILLIE on the back of their jersey.Good all we need is another sniper and WE ARE SET.Looking forward to FF.LVKINGS88,aka M MITCHELL.
[Reply]
Michael_DD8 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
@LVKINGS88,
What?
[Reply]
LVKINGS88 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:20 pm
@Michael_DD8, Exactly,LOL
[Reply]
Glad the Kings could plug a hole, but still concerned with Mitchell and post concussion issues. They are willing to pay him 3.5 per, yet Anton Volchenkov who does not have a history other then smashing guys, was signed for 4.25 million.
I just don’t understand why they couldn’t get Volchenkov unless Grossman burned bridges with the Kings because of Kovalchuk.
My concern is again, a solid hockey player, getting paid 3.5 million, Stoll 3.5, Williams 3.5+, Smyth 6 million and Zus 4+ million. Zus has been very effective, but Williams and his legs have kept him out of a lot of games, which really hurt the Kings, when Kopitar/Smyth/Williams were on fire. There is still a need for a forward, and if Belanger is waiting to be traded after supposedly re-signing for a sign and trade, there goes one player who could have helped center Simmonds and Clifford, and still give the Kings a scoring threat from their 3rd line.
Baby steps, and there is still time, so hopefully Mitchell is healthy during his time here, because the Kings are in need of a defender like Mitchell.
[Reply]
Good signing! Now I hope Dean can trade a youngster for Keven Bieksa, and the defense will be one of the best in the league.
Doughty & Sccuderi
Johnson & Mitchell
Greene & Bieksa
7th man can be Hickey, Muzzin, Voynov, or Martinez etc.
[Reply]
TVA333 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@NOW IMPRESSED,
That’s an interesting idea! But I wonder if Van might think about locking down Bieksa now that Willie’s off the market… Are they still having cap issues? What do you think?
[Reply]
Neil Ellis Shafton Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:49 pm
@TVA333, I am pretty sure Washington is working on a deal to acquire Bieksa for Fleishmann and Belanger, or Bieksa and a pick, but something is going on with Washington and Vancouver.
Forget Voynov, he’s damaged, and will miss the 1st few months of the year, and is already threatening to go to the KHL if he can’t crack the Kings lineup. Look for Muzzin and maybe Hickey to battle for one of the open spots, now that Teubert is also on the IR for 2-3 months. Also remember Fransson could also make his way over here this season.
[Reply]
NOW IMPRESSED Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:16 pm
@TVA333, Vancouver is still shopping Bieksa. They have 8 defensemen signed and are over the cap. So, if they make a trade, they will probably want picks or prospects.
[Reply]
huge hole…filled.
now what?
[Reply]
DougS Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:36 pm
@wavesinair,
Simple, waves: We look forward to training camp and seeing who among the youngsters will astound and amaze us.
[Reply]
Happy about this… especially given our cap room, it’s not a terrible price.
[Reply]
Remember when we played Van in the playoffs and they were talkin about the Canuck defense being a mess cause he wasn’t there. Really like this signing. This is one of those championship kinda moves.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:18 pm
@jayhay, Better believe it! Willie was absolutely irreplacable and they missed his presence against Chicago BIG TIME !
[Reply]
Your lucky to have him. I really wanted him re-signed in VAN…
[Reply]
broncokings Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 3:58 pm
@Curt, well sorry , but at least you still have those frickin green guys
[Reply]
Good news! Welcome to LA!
[Reply]
I’ll take Willie over Odie any day. Great pick up….just stay healthy
[Reply]
Sorry that I can’t get excited about this deal. This would have been a good signing if the Kings had made good signings all summer. Instead we’re left with the players nobody else wanted and we still have to go out and over pay for a guy with a history of concussions. Considering what’s left out there I guess it’s an ok deal, but it’s far from anything to get excited about in my book. Hope he stays healthy.
[Reply]
Joe Dirt Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:38 pm
@Paul From Oxnard,
I hear where you’re coming from. But, at this point I am very happy with this signing. Pickings were getting pretty slim. I am just glad Mitchell was added to the team. Hoping Mitchell stay healthy as well.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:59 pm
@Paul From Oxnard, Word was that several teams wanted Mitchell, including San Jose, Vancouver, and Washington. Mitchell may not be the prize signing of the off season but he fills a big hole in the line-up. With our cap space and the fact it’s only a two year deal, the risk is justified.
[Reply]
Interestingly enough, the Kings official twitter feed says they have reached a “verbal agreement” with Mitchell…so he’s not signed…yet.
With all the drama this summer, anything can happen.
[Reply]
Do people think we are better than last year on paper?
Arguably, prior to this signing we were worse because of the big holes on defense. Now, once everybody is back healthy, I think we have a better team b/c we have a more solid D (We lost Jones and O’Donnel on D, and will be replacing them with either Hickey or Drewiske + Willie Mitchell). Anybody would be an improvement over Jones, and Mitchell (if healthy) is a better defensive defenseman than O’Donnel.
On forward, atleast on paper, were more or less the same. (lost a 20 goal scorer, added a 20 goal scorer). Honestly, D was a bigger concern prior to this signing. Our offense was okay last year, should be the same, but probably will be better than last year just b/c of one more year of experience. Our D is better on paper now.
[Reply]
jet Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 12:53 pm
@tsaiguy, You overlooked the biggest change, goalie.
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:00 pm
@jet, You also need to factor in the fact that the core (Doughty, Kopitar, Johnson, Quick, Simmonds) all got another year of experience, including six playoff games.
[Reply]
a big improvement over Odie, skating,speed-wise,and the same level of toughness.
a great fill-in piece and takes the pressure off of having to fill 2 spots with rookies.
i hope he stays healthy; let’s hope our medical Staff gave a good percentage on risk factor.
[Reply]
While I definitely feel Mitchell will fill that hole we needed filled I still feel our D-men, as a whole, are a little slow and that was exploited by Vancouver in the playoffs last year. While we do have our “Great 8″, I feel the rest of our corps don’t stack up with the elite teams in the league when it comes to quickness. If I felt more comfortable with JJ progression as a defensemen I might not have a problem with the team but I just feel JJ plays out of position too often, trying to be that monster everyone wants (expects) him to be. Remember he was minus 15 last year! I realize we have Hickey ready to compete for a spot but a veteran that is a little more fleet of foot would have been a signing more to my liking!
Anyone else feel the same way? Opinions?
[Reply]
sstephen17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
@seems a good fellow, You have a point about JJ playing out of position sometimes to make a play but part of that is his defensive partner too. I’m not a Jones hater (IMO he’s not as bad as everyone makes him out to be) but he certainly isn’t a great partners by any means. Doughty having Scuderi as his partner gives him a little more wiggle room to take some chances and make some plays. Hopefully Mitchell can provide the same kind of comfort level for Johnson.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
@seems a good fellow,
You said…..While we do have our “Great 8″, I feel the rest of our corps don’t stack up with the elite teams in the league when it comes to quickness.
Man, I’ve given up on writing this sort of thing. A small story to share. I live in nyc. On ESPN this morning they were talking about how while the NY Jets have this great D, it’s not the ‘d’ that’s won the last Super Bowls. The guy even said it’s the ‘NEW NFL’.
That’s almost exactly how I’ve felt about the NHL. Of Course you need great goaltending and super solid ‘d’ but if you can’t get movement and speed on both ends you’re not gonna win the Stanley Cup. Look at the teams that have won it since the lockout. Wings, Pens, Hawks. Speed (and offensive potency) everywhere.
The Kings are going the right direction, but the quickness just has to be addressed, otherwise they might improve, but scoring will still probably be a struggle.
[Reply]
number 6 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 3:32 pm
@number 6,
Just to clarify, the comparison….. New NHL, New NFL. It’s not that dissimilar really. You’ve got to be able to challenge the opposition offensively, otherwise, as others have pointed out, it was eventually our speed (or lack thereof) that Vanc realized they only had to respect up to a certain point. Anyway, something like that. I’m not a super expert but I know it figured into the equation.
[Reply]
You knew we would start coming together. It was just a matter of time. We still need some holes filled but by my calendar it is still early. Go get Beauchemin and give Kovy 3 years alot.
Signed,
One Of Those “Deano can’t close” wackos
(Pre Therapy)
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@rjb, Atta Boy ! I’m proud of you, you are really starting to come into your own now. Remember, if you keep this up, you will be throwing down shots of Patron Reposado and cold Carona with me and my girl and the #1faninvegas at frozen fury ! Hell, I have been pushing for Mitchell since Odonnell left. I am so damn fired up right now..I might just have to buy some of you bloggers a free shot before the game in the casino..yahhhh!
[Reply]
I’m happy with the signing, at this point I’ll take anything relatively decent and Willie is better than decent barring any more medical issues. I don’t know about the rest of you guys but I’m starting to feel it. These last few weeks till training camp, preseason, season always seem the longest. Man I can’t wait I love this game so much. Just can’t wait to hear Bob’s voice! GO KINGS GO!
[Reply]
We B Ilya'n Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
@Goring 19,
I’m with you, man. Mitchell, Poni, Schenn, Bernier, Clifford? Hickey? Muzzin?… can’t wait to see these guys play (not to mention all the regulars!) Isn’t it time for the season to start yet? Bring it on! GKG!!!
[Reply]
Nice signing – I like it for us.. saw this on http://www.crashthecrease.com an hour ago as the report first came out.
Stay healthy and he will be a beast!
[Reply]
If Willie can stay healthy, he will be a great for you guys! Pretty solid shutdown guy! He will be missed in Vancouver
[Reply]
What a nice surprise. Mitchell is no longer a rumor, and is instead an actual King.
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
@Kwaz, Well, Dean might not be able to get a big time scorer yet, but he sure knows how to close on shutdown d men like Scuderi and Mitchell..that doesnt suck !
[Reply]
Good signing, but $3.5/year is pricey!
[Reply]
Willie is a very solid D-man, he is not very offencive but what he lacks there he brings everything else to the game. There was talk in the Canucks forums that he would be captain one day, so you guys get an awesome D-man..best of luck Willie, we will miss you
[Reply]
overpaid.this signing(great player)for the salary sucks.so is jack johnson re-signing for 6.5 for 5 years and drew doughty gets 7.93 for seven?kopitar and brown have to stay,then what are theirs?you never trade captains(as the kings previously proved)brown is a truly special in an equal but different way than kopitar is….i guess scuderi’s close(3.7?)so i like willie the player..but they’re saying we’re spending, and i dont wanna see any of these homegrown drafted my teamers traded
[Reply]
Great signing and great to see some “real news”
on the Kings!
[Reply]
Sweet! Good signing!
[Reply]
Coming from a Canucks fan, this is a great signing for the Kings. If the Canucks didn’t have the cap issues they have, then I am sure Mitchell would have signed with them. Mitchell will be greatly missed. Look forward to seeing you on the ice opening night.
[Reply]
VERY happy about this signing. Heart & soul leader d-man with a fireball slapper. He’ll have the hardest point shot on the team. When Greene comes back…..dude! Yeah, it’s a bit of a risk, but worth taking I believe. MUCH better than getting Kaberle or any of the other options that were out there July 1st that other teams overpaid for. We were not in a position to pay 5mil/season and Willie is the PERFECT option. I got a seriously good feeling abou this signing, especially because he chose us over SJ, WASH and VAN. He’ll be REALLY good for JJ IMHO.
Nice work DL! This one should pay dividends.
[Reply]
I feel sorry for Green in terms of salary…next they’ll ask him to carry Doughty, Scuderi, Doughty and Mitchell’s bags. Ridiculous!
[Reply]
puck73 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 5:30 pm
@deepwater, He will be taken care of. He is a assistant captain and is well respected by management and his teammates.
[Reply]
at one point we traded away our picks.that illness is
gone so why don’t we start playing them? time’s up.
[Reply]
how about ron grahame for ray bourque?
[Reply]
Coming from a Canuck fan, LA just got one of the toughest and best stay at home defensemen in the league. It was a bad concussion, but knowing Willie, he’s 100% and I’m not looking forward to seeing him in another jersey. Good luck.
[Reply]
anonymous.i’m not throwing rocks at Willie.but draft-
picks must come through. here. not somewhere else.
[Reply]
Wow, 3.5 million for a solid D man that might get hurt, but they can’t breakout 9.5 million for Kovalchuk a guy who would score 50 goals, fill the seats, sell tons of merchandise and make us the most lethal team in the NHL. What a lost chance….or is it???
[Reply]