Mitchell, Richards injury updates

Alec Martinez, who has been medically cleared, continues to practice and participate in contact drills, but based on practice today it seems he will miss at least one more game. Willie Mitchell, out with a groin pull, did some post-practice skating and, below, goes into detail about how he’s feeling. As for Mike Richards, who is on injured reserve after taking a hit to the head, Terry Murray said Richards is “feeling better,” but Richards has not returned to the ice and, based on his injured-reserve status, will have to miss at least the next two games.

MURRAY: “Mike Richards was here today. He rode the bike, feeling better, and that’s all I can answer on him right now. It’s going to be a week for sure, obviously, with the I.R., and then hopefully we’ll get another evaluation at the next home game.”

Here’s what Mitchell said about his injury and recovery…

MITCHELL: “I’ve had a groin pull before where it was two or three weeks, and you couldn’t even walk for a week, but I knew this one wasn’t as bad. I just had a strain earlier in the week in practice, and I felt good in the morning skate, but you can’t replicate a game. I went to push off in the first shift and I just fel it pop a little. Like I said, not as bad as what I’ve had. When you play long enough, everyone pretty much gets a groin pull. But I felt good walking around. The only way you can test it is to get out there, and it was good. I probably skated at about 75 percent today, which is pretty good. You’ve just got to be comfortable putting yourself out there, as far as making a quick stop or a turn, which is when it really stretches out your groin. You get a few skates and you can try it, and hopefully it doesn’t go pop again. You want to get back as quick as you can, but you also don’t want to go back to square one. So I want to be smart about it, but it’s encouraging, definitely, to get out there and do 75 percent of my stuff.’’