Willie Mitchell was on the ice for the full practice today — and long after, with the extra skaters — but afterward, John Stevens said he didn’t believe Mitchell would play tomorrow, meaning Mitchell would be out of the lineup for a fifth time in the last six games since he suffered a groin injury.
STEVENS: “He’s doubtful. We’re progressing with him. The concern with him is that he comes back too soon and has a setback. He felt really good today. He’s felt better and better every day, so it’s obviously an encouraging sign that he will be back soon, but I doubt he will be back for tomorrow.’’
As for Mike Richards, he is scheduled to arrive in Detroit some time today, but the Kings have not yet discussed when Richards might be able to participate in practice activities.
STEVENS: “I think we’re going to wait and update his status tomorrow. … As far as what he’s going to do, I think once Kinger [trainer Chris Kingsley] gets a chance to sit down with him, I think we will have a plan moving forward, but I don’t think we want to comment on that until he gets a chance to speak with him.’’
MR would never come to Detroit without some kind of a special reason……
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USHA#17 Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@outsider,
Think he’s applying at the new GM plant?
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steve Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:41 pm
@outsider, new coach maybe?
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kostamojen Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:42 pm
@outsider, he’s going to be the new head coach?
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NVkingsfan Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@outsider, Hopefully he is our new captain!
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Mikey Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:57 pm
@outsider,
….What if he’s becoming player/coach/captain? Like Reggie Dunlop? I might have to Dickie Dun this so it just might happen!
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trytodethroneus Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:58 pm
@outsider,
He’s from Kenora, Ontario. Maybe he will be seeing family / friends in Toronto and or detroit.
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petemagoop Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
@trytodethroneus,St. Louis, Chicago, Minnesota, Winnipeg, Edmonton ,Calgary are all closer to Kenora Ontario than Toronto is (St. Louis might be give or take)
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trytodethroneus Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
@petemagoop,
They do have airports with rental cars in canada, don’t they
petemagoop Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
@petemagoop, think your missing the point and this post will be the last in regards to it – Toronto is eleven hundred miles away from Kenora, take it from there
Helvetica Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:05 pm
@outsider, They need his voice in the locker room and on the bench.
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IceGuy Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 5:00 pm
@Helvetica,
Why not have him behind the BENCH?
You know, a set of offensive eyes?
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No rush guys. Your health is 1rst and foremost the major factor, and hockey is 2nd. I’d rather have you guys 100% and make a push with you guys then have you 50% and playing hurt.
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When you come back Willie, no more fisticuffs! Let the big boys do that.
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Stuart Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
@bbb7, I wonder if the grappling in that dance strained the groin…
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Anyone heard anything about the coach? I can’t seem to find anythin recent.
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Jerry B Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
@Colorado Kings Fan, Only name I’ve heard is Sutter. I hope they are extending their search.
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gralx Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 3:22 pm
@Jerry B, Come on, it’s DL. Do you REALLY think that Sutter is the only candidate? You aren’t going to know until it is done. There are probably 3 other people he is talking to and we just don’t know.
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sloth Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
@Colorado Kings Fan,
it’s Viktor Tikhonov
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trytodethroneus Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
@sloth,
Igor Larionov–mentor to Loktionov, knows voynov and probably Maxim Kitsun, who will be here next year.
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Good news about mike. Hopefully it means he’s ready to get back into practices with the team. Can’t wait to see him playing again!
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I in no way doubt post concussion disorder is a real thing, but how come it is a way bigger deal now? Is it just the players are getting bigger and stronger? How come in the pre-helmet days you didn’t have a ton of players all crazy-dizzy like?
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petemagoop Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
@questionhere, they should be playing on Olympic size ice surfaces IMO
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Deke'r Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:27 pm
@petemagoop, …right…that way you can build up more speed before you board someone…
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Helvetica Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
@Deke’r, probably sarcasm, but i think the theory goes that with more space, theres more time to avoid big hits when you’ve had your head down for a bit. The game is so fast, and the NHL ice so cramped, that theres just no time to avoid being crushed. Guys are on you like white on rice…
Helvetica Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:07 pm
@questionhere, It’s a combination of bigger and faster players, as well as more scrutiny on the situation. Concussions were vastly under reported in decades past.
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Stuart Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@questionhere, you know…I was thinking about this last night even more so because I think Bob and Jim talked about during one of the intermissions…and IMO:
Ever since the clutch/grab slowing of the game has been removed, the speed of the game has picked up tremendously. Remove the 2-line pass interruption and even more speed is being generated then in previous generations. Add to this that players protection/armor is getting heavier/harder/sturdier and you’ve created a sense of invincibility amongst players. Coupled with the size/strength of many players the physics of hits is now off the charts. Then you have the instigator penalty which pretty much takes away any threat of retribution against the hitter. All these things plus other aspects as well, help to contribute to many more concussions than before. And with all the other sports and hype (rightfully so) that brain inuries are getting there all this quiet room and other directives that teams must follow…
I say slow the game up. It’s not like teams are setting scoring records ablaze without the clutching and grabbing. Bring back the 2-line calls, too, less speed through the nuetral zone… I heard someone mention about lessening the armor to just padding again, that would work for me.
Granted, there will always be hard hitting and it should be welcomed by the league. Players must be aware of where they are on the ice and who’s out on that shift for the opposition. And finally, let the players police themselves out on the ice again.
stepping off soap box now.
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sloth Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:16 pm
@questionhere,
helmets do not protect one against concussion
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Deke'r Reply:
December 16th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
@questionhere, ….no armor (plastic) pads…and nobody enjoys gettin hit in the head…maybe a little more respect between players???
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I love that the Kings trainer is nicknamed “Kinger”.
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Stevens is waaaaaay more articulate than TM ever was, and it’s a breath of fresh air.
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