Willie Mitchell update

Willie Mitchell took another step toward his return today. Mitchell participated in a full-team practice for the first time since he broke his wrist on Nov. 6. Afterward, he showed me the new padding he will wear on the wrist when he returns to gave action. Gone is the soft cast that covered his wrist and part of his hand, replaced by a much smaller, less restrictive pad that allows him to flex his wrist. Mitchell described it as something similar to what football players wear. Mitchell is scheduled for a meeting with a team doctor tomorrow night, at which point he will probably be cleared to play, but Terry Murray said it is unlikely that Mitchell would be able to return Saturday against Minnesota. The Kings’ following game would be Monday at Detroit.

MURRAY: “He’s not cleared. He’s going to see our doctor on Thursday, for maybe the final appointment, just to have that conversation. But he feels good. It’s kind of on your own now. Once you get through some many weeks of doing squats and lunges and workouts off-ice, then you get more comfortable. He started handling the puck a little yesterday, and he wanted to be a part of it. Right after practice yesterday, he said he would like to join and participate more, so it’s good to see that he’s close.”

Question: Is there any thought that he might play Saturday?

MURRAY: “No.”

Question: But probably not too long after that…

MURRAY: “I think very close after that. We’ll get through this weekend, and a couple more practices and I think he’s going to be ready to go.”