I’m about to jump on the Kings’ conference call with Willie Mitchell, but for now, here are a couple things. First, a few quotes from Mitchell, as provided by the Kings, and then the video of Heidi Androl’s interview with Kings assistant general manager Ron Hextall…
Q&A WITH WILLIE MITCHELL
On Joining The Kings: “It’s very exciting. It’s a new opportunity and new opportunities are really exciting. I feel very fortunate to get a chance to join a young team that is getting better and better every year and hopefully I can come in there and do the things I have done throughout my career and add another piece to the puzzle and win a Stanley Cup.”
On Kings- Canucks Playoffs: “Speaking to ex-teammates of mine now, and some peers of mine, they felt the Kings gave them everything that they could handle. That’s exciting for a young team and as a young team you have to go through some series and experiences like that to get you to the next level. I have been to the playoffs a lot in my career and hopefully I can come down and bring some experience in those situations and help the team build toward the ultimate prize.”
Medical Update: “Yeah it’s been done on my schedule, but not so much on the schedule of general managers and coaches. In free agency, you want to get things done on July 1, but I wanted to go through the proper things and the proper protocol and by that I mean training at the proper level that I need to train at, the level that I want to skate at and put myself through all those rigors to get myself ready to play at a level I am used to playing. I have done that and that’s when I started speaking with teams and now I am excited about the opportunity here and hopefully I can help that team get to another level.”
I like him already…….
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Oh Heidi, how I have missed you.
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OneTimer Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Jammers,
I’m a big fan.
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RogerRamjet Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
@Jammers,
Heidi and the ice boys need to be going in the right direction, away.
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I like the Medical update part. That is a great answer and puts me at some ease to start the season.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wok_GcIJgDc
Willie Mitchell has the longest stick in the NHL… literally.
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When Hex said he envisions Doughty playing with Mitchell my pants got a little tighter
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Tookie Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
@Reality,
nah, you were just looking at Heidi’s legs.
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kings fan in temecula Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 4:37 am
@Tookie,ex hahaha
So was Hextall
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Yeah, help us get revenge on your prior team
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:34 pm
@Geoff,
Can’t wait until he nails one of the Sundin twins into the boards…
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Marc Nathan Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Mats and who? (/smirk)
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BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
@Marc Nathan,
Sundin, Sedin, ah…
It’s Vancouver, after all…
luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
@BakoCAkingsCondorsGuy, Willie is one of the top 5 stay at home D-men in the game if not the best. I just hope he stays healthy, and yes he is a major HITTER. In fact he hits so hard Willie could check the twin Sedins so hard their genetic makeup refuses to one. Ignore Marc we all know you meant the Sedins.
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sstephen17 Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
@Geoff, It will be interesting to see how he is received in his first game against Vancouver.
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Yeah Heidi looks like it took her 5 minutes to get ready,but damn I still like that.
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He’s right, a few bounces we would’ve been in the 2nd round.
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Rich do you know if DL has had any contact with Grossman since the NHL rejected NJ’s offer? Sound like the NHL rejected the “framework” for a new corract today, think DL is still interested? I am. Thanks for all your updates!
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AZ King Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@Pesus,
For your own sanity, let it go. He’s not going to sign here. He NEVER was going to sign here. If he can’t get the money he wants out of NJ he’s almost surely headed to the KHL. Stranger things have happened, but I really wouldn’t hold your breath.
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From what Hexy said it doesn’t sound like we should expect any more moves. Playing two rook D men to start the year? Hopefully this all works out for us.
Williams – Doughty
Scuderi – Jack
Drewiski – Muzzin
Fransson.
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Tookie Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 4:53 pm
@Tookie,
Mitchell – Doughty (got potential injury guy’s mixed up.)
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luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
@Tookie, While the Swedish Elite League is not the NHL. Sweden did win the Olympic Gold 4.5 years ago, and most of the players were from the Swedish Elite League.
Frasson is a 5 year vet. and one of the best players from the S.E.L. so I would be hesitant to call him a rookie. I actually was wonder in if DL had him slotted as the #4 D-Man before this signing. I definately think he atleast initially slated above Drewiske & Muzzin.
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MacSwede Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:34 am
@luc20rules, I agree that Fransson may break the team, and that he is better than many may think.
BUT, to say that the Swedish National Team who won the olympics consisted at the most part of Swedish Elite Leauge players is NOT true.
The only “local” players were:
* Stefan Liv, Hv71
* Kenny Jönsson, Rögle (former Islanders)
* Mika Hannulla, Hv71
* Jörgen Jönsson, Färjestad
The other 19 (!) players were from the NHL.
KEEP YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT!
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Worked a 12 hour night shift and woke up to this wonderful news. I think it is now safe to say we got better over the summer.
Mitchel Vs O’Donnel is a big upgrade. Jones being replaced by one of our up and coming rookie prospects is likely an upgrade. Poni Vs Fro is close to even, but IMHO a slight upgrade overall.
Losing Modine is a bit of loss though, but if we should sign Pits Guerin that would be an upgrade.
Another year of experience JJ, DD, Simmonds, Parse, Quick. Huge upgrade imho.
Bernier over EE … likely also a huge upgrade.
I am a happy camper.
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luc20rules Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
@KC23, If you look at minutes played Jones was actually our #4 and OD #5 last year. So the upgrade is even bigger than you stated. I also think you will be quite pleased with Fransson who has been tearing up the Swedish Elite League the last 5 years.
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Hey Rich,
Any idea what number Willie’s going to wear?
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This Willie Mitchell…?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mTEzQ8vBps
I’ve had this favorited for a long time now.
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Kings Fan Vancouver, WA Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
@jamesonafterawin, That was a sick hit.
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Dominick Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:36 pm
@jamesonafterawin,
Just think, he’ll be doing that with Brown hitting everything else that’s not nailed down. They’ll be a 2 man recking crew.
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jamesonafterawin Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
I still want to know why the puck was wistled dead. I can only assume because of who got hit.
Clean hit, center ice and play was moving forward.
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Welcome to the team Willie! It’s gonna make the season opener in Vancouver even more fun:) Is anyone else planning on going? Maybe we can meet up at the game.
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blckbsct Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:15 pm
@kings4queens, I am thinking about going to that game on October 9th…..only a two hour drive for me!
Go KINGS!!!
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Kings Fan Vancouver,WA Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
@kings4queens, I am planning on going. 6 hour drive for me.
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kings4queens Reply:
August 25th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
@Kings Fan Vancouver,Wa @blckbsct
Do you have tickets yet? There are tickets on stubhub from season ticket holders that are really expensive, but single tickets haven’t gone on sale yet, and since I’ve never been to Vancouver before, I don’t know what to expect. Everyone just keeps saying “good luck getting tickets”. I’m checking with my rep here who handles my season tickets to see if he could possibly help but I have no idea how that works. It would be fun to sit together though. What are your plans for tickets? You can email me directly at vacekc@hotmail.com so we don’t take up space on this blog.
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next … trade stoll and williams and get a sold wing.
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chewy rocky horror Reply:
August 26th, 2010 at 1:05 pm
@jofa6000,
That’s the stupidest thing I’ve read in a long time. Yeah, let’s trade those 2 & create two more holes on the team. I hate to break it to you, but Schenn & Clifford are not ready.
I said this before & I’ll say it again, Stoll is an elite 3rd line center & has the intangibles that all teams need come playoff time. What does the guy have to do to get a little respect around here.
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Okay, ready for the season to start!
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I would drink her bathwater.
the end.
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I hate Malkin. Another cheap shot that send a player into the boards and he gets away with it! I hope WM destroys that punk next year
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