Willie Mitchell has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the Kings worth $7 million. Mitchell, who will turn 35 in April, had signed a two-year, $7-million contract with the Kings in Aug. 2010 as an unrestricted free agent.
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This is great news. Willie is an excellent defenseman.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@Steve S., and he only costs half-a-doughty!
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KingsFan79 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@Shuchuk, Haha. I think that’s how we should rate the cost of players from this point forward, not by dollars, but by doughtys.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:20 pm
@Shuchuk, I wish, I had even a tenth of a Doughty in my savings account. I have to say I had heard rumors about Mitchell maybe signing elsewhere so needless to say I’m extremely happy he has been resigned. Still the best shutdown Dman per dollar in the NHL. Probably top 5 shutdown Dman in the NHL outright.
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Great job DL! He’s definitely been our most consistent defenseman since he’s been year. I thought he was going to leave after the current mess that’s going on right now, but glad he’s staying!
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Christian T Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@Marbles, The current mess is temporary. Young teams that are good always take a step back. Look at Chicago and Pittsburgh as recent examples. We have so much character that all we need is a good stretch of good O and good D at the same time to snap out of it. Carter adds much of what we have been missing.
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Great move.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@TeamJMFJ, no trade him to columbus! kidding
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TeamJMFJ Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@Shuchuk,
low blow…
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Love it!
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Well worth the money. He will definitely help with Voynov’s development. They’re a great pairing.
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tomb Reply:
February 25th, 2012 at 12:13 am
@Todd, definitely…though Willie is a great matchup with anyone.
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You could almost argue — that we effectively traded Johnson so we could free up the cap room to resign Mitchell.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:52 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, Not really. We lost cap space in the deal. Johnson 4 mil Carter 5 mil.
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jmsalsa Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, that doesn’t really make sense because the person we traded for is a HIGHER cap hit then JJ.
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Kings win, Ducks lose Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, +1
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LuckyNumber20 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:17 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, and his cap hit remains the same only for 2 more years.
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broncokings Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:49 pm
@CabbagesAndKings, lets hope we dump pancake then there will be more cap space
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:18 pm
@broncokings, All you Cap Wizards need to use your Tax Tables to count Dollars! Look, its simple math! Deduct(traded) JJ at -$4.350; deduct RFA Voynov at -$0.787; then good bye to UFA Penner at -$4.250, to UFA Stoll at -$3.600, to UFA Fraser at -$0.825, to UFA Moreau at -$0.600, to UFA Hunter at -$0.600, to UFA Westie at -$0.525, to RFA Lok at -$0.668, to RFA King at -$0.585. This is a reduction in Cap on July 1st of -$16.80ML (includes Mitchell in numbers). Now, Add in Carter at +$5.27, plus resign Voynov with raise at +$1.00, plus resign Lok with raise at +$0.850, plus resign King with raise at +$0.750. Bottom line the Cap number goes down by $9.0 ML and add unused portion on books now at +$3.60ML, so its down by -$12.60. Cap should be raised in 2012-13 (with new TV Deal now done), so say + $5.00ML minimum. Looks like +$17-$18 ML Open Space! Plenty of Cap Space for Quick in 2013(? +$4.0ML), and something else (or 3) on Wings after July 1st. Not counting any more traded contract values in or out, of course. Looks promising in immediate future to me for whomever is at the GM Helm! Many young comers on the way, and 1 year closer now!…Toffoli, Vey, Hickey and several others developing Type A Prospects! Room for a Parise type contract and some support pieces also! Even resign one or two holdovers at better values?(Stoll?). This year is probably gone, but bright future is around the corner!
Say what you will!
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Thanks Willie!
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I’m gald he was cool with just renewing the term at the same amount… good man Willie!
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:19 pm
@Stuart, Agree! Love team players!!
I am hoping quick doesn’t gouge us, but even if he does, its well worth it.
My opinion, we had to resign him after the the JMFJ trade.
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Finally some good news!!!
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Go Willie, awesome DL. Now go get another third line forward who is nasty and will go to the net.
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BluLiner Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@gene, Ott?
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:37 pm
@BluLiner, I wish, but it shouldn’t happen. Dallas are on the same points as Kings and a contender again.
A week ago they looked down and out. What an exciting finish again in the West (groan)..
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Sean Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:15 pm
@BluLiner, no way should Ott ever have the priveledge of suiting up in an LA uniform. He’s one of the trashiest, loudmouthed agitators in the NHL. Its funny you mention him, Willie Mitchell dropped the gloves with Ott earlier this season.
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Willie has been a rock for us the whole time he’s been here. Love it
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Sweet!!
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Wonderful. Now we can trade him.
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Shuchuk Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@JackKent Cooke, especially because he tok a hometown discount, SUCKA! ;D
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Shuchuk, +1000 and a bag of chips
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Awesome!
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uhhhh 7 million?????????????Well at least he playing like it not like some one we know,,,Cough Doughty Cough cough….
Well am still worred about the Money Now we might not be able to afford Quick
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The Batman Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
@KingsFanFTW, It’s 2years for 7 mil. It’s the same that he is getting paid now but for 2 more years
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@The Batman, oh thanks Good deal!
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IStillBelieve Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
@KingsFanFTW, That’s for 2 years, so 3.5 a year.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 2:59 pm
@IStillBelieve, oh thanks! Than good deal
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Andrew Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
@KingsFanFTW, you do realize its 3.5M/yr, right? I believe that’s a minor raise over his currently deal (in relation to the CAP hit).
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
@Andrew, i thought it was per year…never thought about that…But thanks
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tantrum4 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@KingsFanFTW,
Wow.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@tantrum4, ok
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Something we can all agree. Congrats Willie
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Wow, didn’t realize he’s mid thirties, still going strong!
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Good move DL. Thanks WM you have been very consistent
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just standing still, waiting to see whats next… going to miss jj, but carter’s a beast when he’s on…
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jacky boy Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:00 pm
@tim chaney, Agreed. A 46 goal scoring beast!
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What a deal for a great D-Man. Thanks Willie! glad to have you for another 2 years
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Well, at least that’s one bit of great news this week.
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three of our dmen are set for at least the next 2 years…Doughty Voynov and WM.
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With all the distractions of the trade deadline, how do they have the time to get this done right now if it isn’t a possible piece of a trade puzzle?
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fsd1 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:02 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
Dl Willie, you want to play here for 2 more years?
WM Can I get the same amount of money?
DL You bet!
WM Where do i sign?
DL Right here, Thanks Willie.
WM No problem!
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
@fsd1, Probably not far from the truth.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:29 pm
@JackKent Cooke,
very strange time to lock up a contract like this hmmm does make me wonder.
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Jumblehead Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:25 pm
@408kingsfan, It had been reported to be nearly done about a week ago… Now it is fully done.. Great news..
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@Jumblehead, The mayor did mention it. He’s another great source for Kings news.
Great news. Now give him an “A” on his sweater.
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Now sign Penner to deal where he gets paid in pancakes and syrup.
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:04 pm
@Todd, LOL no thanks lets just drop Penner
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Sebastian Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@KingsFanFTW, ha, really glad all those summer work outs really paid off for mr. Penner
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KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
@Sebastian, lol what u talking about it work wonders..He had eat heavy Pancakes too much for him to handle
Weasel Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:07 pm
@Todd,
I would guess that Penner’s next contract while not food based will be much smaller than his last one. Anyone care to predict?
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Todd Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Weasel,
I would think $800,000. I’m probably being really generous.
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@Weasel, $1.4 million on size and pedigree alone.
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Jay GoLAKings Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:09 pm
@Todd, I still believe in Penner to come through for the Kings. He has a great shot.
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Jay GoLAKings,
he has about 20 games left he’s out of runway
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Jumblehead Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
@408kingsfan, Out of runway… Classic
KingsGuy Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:30 pm
@Todd, I think Penner should stay in LA! He could be the new face of “Aunt Jamima”!
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Todd Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:36 pm
@KingsGuy,
Haha. He should just become a entrepreneur and have two products. pancake mix and his very own syrup with his face on the cover like Aunt Jamima except he’d look great with that big tooth missing in the front of his mouth for his picture.
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Wilmonde Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:54 pm
@Todd, I’d buy it.
Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:22 pm
@Todd, Eff NO, make him buy his own syrup. I am not sweetening his deal.
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In my mind, Lombardi has done a 180 in the last 48 hours!
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@California Royalty, Big Kev…getting fired up again about Kings hockey, good ta see!
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Great extension. Mitchell provides the framework for the defense with his presence and consistency.
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Great news… glad to see Willie with the KINGS for an extended period…. and is worth more then 3 Doughtys.
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Dustin Brown was available. And now, according to CBC.ca’s Elliotte Friedman, he’s not.
Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi is telling inquiring GMs that his captain is not
That’s good news
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DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@408kingsfan, he was available for two deals… A monster deal involving Brown, Jonson, Bernier and picks for Nash and Carter, which didn’t happen, or a deal sending Brown to Toronto for Schenn and Matt Frattin, which all indications suggest Toronto isn’t biting.
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Jumblehead Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:33 pm
@DEH, I saw the Schenn rumor also. No way anyone trades a defenseman for a winger and then trades a winger for a defenseman. Especially when the winger leads the league in hits every year and has scored 30 goals and is your captain and the defenseman has been a healthy scratch player. Stupid rumor.
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ILLEGALSTICK33 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:22 pm
@408kingsfan, He felt the heat from the KINDOM! Thats the best news ever if its true. He probably said “My captain is off the market but Kopitar and Quick are still available.”
Sheeeez!
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!– SARCASM WARNING –!
What!? He’s a talent-less bum–like the rest of LA’s defensive corps–according to this brilliant commentary from the NHL network:
http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=3&id=159842
Mr. Button apparently really, really, really likes Drew Doughty, and wishes he wasn’t weighed down by such underskilled schleps as Scuderi and Mitchell. And don’t even mention that euro-trash upstart Voynov, who is obviously merely riding on Doughty’s coattails.
Oh my, what will Los Angeles do now that they’re stuck with such a sub-bar defense? Except maybe trade both Richards and Carter, along with Kopitar, away so they can get Visnovski backThat, according to Button, should redeem the King’s ailing defense.
!– END SARCASM –!
Seriously, I hate to lose Johnson, especially for a player that I don’t think is going to have any effect on the team’s offense as long as Sutter insists on sticking with Murray’s system. But, I think one of the things that definitely isn’t wrong with the team is its defense.
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Rob Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:11 pm
Oh yeah… great news about Mitchell. Congrats to him, and good on DL for nailing down one of the team’s anchors.
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jacky boy Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:13 pm
@Rob, Agree with you about our defense. Disagree abt your Carter analysis
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Rob Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:59 pm
@jacky boy, Ah well, we can’t all be right.
P Seriously, I think Carter can be a monster for the Kings… if they just find a way to play offense and defense during the same game.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:14 pm
@Rob, That Button proved, beyond a shadow of a doubt, he knows nothing about the Kings state of affairs. Nothing, nada, zippo, ziltch. Button is a tool.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:27 pm
@KC23, …maybe a tool….but definately not a Hammer….
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KING-C Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
@Deke’r, An ignorant, blowhard rool!
KING-C Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
@Deke’r, I mean tool…:)
matty muls Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Rob,
i was so irritated when i saw that last night. i respect button a lot but he was way off by say we dont have skilled Dmen besides doughty… voynov and Amart are very good at creating goals, and better at D then JMFJ
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:18 pm
@matty muls, If that’s true, then how is it that neither even had 1/2 JJ’s points. I love them both, but give JJ his due. He earned it by being faithful to this organization, and giving his best. In the end, That’s all you can ask of anyone.
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jason Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:42 pm
@Dominick, For the sake of argument, Voynov is averaging .33 points/game compared to JJ’s .39 points per game. The difference is that Voynov is averaging 4:28 minutes/game less than JJ. I think we’ll be ok losing JJ’s offense. Voynov will fill that void. It’s JJ’s character and great attitude that we’ll miss the most. I wish him luck and wish he wasn’t stuck in CLB.
purple and gold Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:53 pm
@Dominick, Voynov was not going up against the other teams top guys as often as JJ was
Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:55 pm
@jason,
The main thing I think we’ll miss the most is JJ’s speed against big forwards. I’ve said all along that guys like VV can’t handle 200 lbs forwards physically. Don’t be surprised if eventually VV gets exposed, and the Kings start experimenting with Muzzin, or Hickey to better handle bigger forwards from the “puck mover” position.
JJ being traded means the only “puck mover” that can handle that kind of size on the roster is DD. Since Sutter is not going to change the system, eventually VV will prove too small, and Martinez, not agressive enough.
JJ being traded will effect VV more than anyone thinks, and so far, I’m the only one thinking that far ahead. I could prove wrong, but we’ll see in the long run.
Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Rob, Couldn’t agree more with your last paragraph. As far as your sarcasm warning, surprising that many Kingsfans actually think that way without the sarcasm. DD is a great talent, but our entire defensive core (even with JJ) is the best in the game right now, and no one should be complaining about any of them.
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PP Anybody? Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:02 pm
@Dominick, hey I mentioned it, too.
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dodgervern Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@Dominick, Most of the kings players are way too “kicked back”.We can still make the playoffs but desperation needs to get kicked in.Penner needs to be told unconditionally to get to the net and create havoc.If he gets a few goals everyone will get off his back I hope.Martinez needs a good rev-up too.Has he ever been in a fight?Come playoffs we need to quit being such nice guys,Clifford and Westgarth really have to step up,but scoring help is still needed.What do you know about Pominville and Stafford?Are they available??
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:55 pm
@dodgervern, Buffalo is entertaining offers. That’s all anybody will say.
KingsFanFTW Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@Rob, i believe Sutter has losing the system up for scoring chances better but still pretty much the same…
Button has no idea what he talking about…All he ever does is hate the Kings soo much plain out sad because he praise all other teams but when Kings come along he turn to this evil monster..Like the Kings token his bag of candy
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DEH Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
@Rob, how completely wrong is that turd. We may have the worst offense in the league but statistically we are at the top for scoring from defensemen. Statistics completely contradict his “analysis!”
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This makes me happy. Also gives me a sense of hope because the fact that he signed with us again says he still believes in this team. I’m sure there are plenty of other teams that would have loved to have this guy. Respect him too because he could have waited till July to see if he could have gotten any better offers. Thanks Willie! Glad you’re sticking around for another 2 years.
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Awsome! This relieves the worry of possibly losing him this summer that many (including myself) have had all season long. I couldn’t be more happier for Mitchell, his family, or the organization. This gives us a transitional defenseman to fill the gap for a few years until Muzzin, Deslaurier, Forbort, or any of the other hybrid/stay at home types we have in the system are ready to take the next step.
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@Dominick, I thought he was as good as gone to be honest. The fact he signed for two more years does say something positive … I needed that in a big way as I really started to lose faith recently.
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
@KC23, Me too. I think my biggest worry was “how can we afford to lose him”. There’s still the concerns about what we’re spending on D versus the cap, and how to manage it, but at least this gives us a clear direction now, and a clear decision on a big question mark.
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MindGeyser Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
@Dominick, There’s a lot of money that will still be available for forwards at the end of the season. Something like $8 million.
Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:34 pm
@MindGeyser,
The issue for me isn’t whether we have the money, but the amount of space being used up for just defense, and goaltending. It’s not going to get any lower with Quick caming up for a raise next season, and Greene, and Scuderis’ contracts coming up for renewel also.
This at least answers the question of whether Mitchell will still be here, but it doesn’t fix the other issues. At least we know that no matter what happens, Mitchell will still be a King.
MindGeyser Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
@Dominick, I guess I’m not fully understanding you. The reason to be concerned about how much is spent on defense is to consider it compared to how much is spent elsewhere.
I do agree that expiring contracts of Greene, Scuderi, and Quick are points to keep an eye on, but Greene and Scuderi are being paid about what they should be and aren’t in line for significant raises. It’s Quick’s raise that’s going to be concerning. I don’t think, however, that it’s possible to get a defenseman of Mitchell’s caliber for less than $3.5 million a year. I would actually say he’s a little underpaid.
Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:25 pm
@MindGeyser,
The Kings currently have 22 million (34.2% of the cap) committed to just 9 players (40% of the 23 man roster). That leaves 42.3 million in cap space left for forwards. 24 1/2 mill are already committed to just 4 forwards leaving roughly 18 mill left to fill out the forward core. Out of that 18 mill, raises will come out of that for Greene, Quick, and scuderi, leaving even less to fill out our forwards.
The amount of the capspace dedicated to defense and goaltending is the issue, not whether we could afford to pay 1 player versus another. If raises go up as expected, we could end up with 1/2 our cap going just to defense, and goaltending. So I’m just saying that eventually we’re gonna lose somebody in that area, but luckily it won’t be Mitchell.
Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
@Dominick, more so @MindGeyser
If we free up 8Mil that just helps up keep Quick and Bernie. (hopefully)
GREAT NEWS!!!! Love me some Willie Mitchell!!!!
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Great news… great deal for a world class d-man… Signed for another 2 years at an affordable hit… Kinda makes him attractive in the trade market dont ya think…. Naaaa, just saying… makes you think… it’s that time of the year, that’s all…
Go Kings…
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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/eric-duhatschek/jeff-carter-in-dustin-brown-out/article2349252/
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:06 pm
@petemagoop, Good reading. Thanks.
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We lost our johnson…but we regained our willie!
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408kingsfan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:15 pm
@rontheking,
Yeah still some manhood left
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KingzzFan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:16 pm
@rontheking, You just went there didn’t you… yikes…
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40YearKingsFan Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:31 pm
@rontheking, I nominate that for post of the day!!!!!!
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:07 pm
@rontheking, Wish I’d thought of that one, Lol.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:28 pm
@rontheking, Lost our Johnson but Pulled out our Willie would have been better, but you still made my night.
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Willie Mitchell is worth every cent. He is so underrated. I believe him to be Captain material. This is one solid defenseman.
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:49 pm
@Lvhatrick, Concur
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This is bigger news than the Carter trade. What a great move locking up Mitchell. Now let’s reward him with a cup. With the addition of Carter we are bound for glory. It wasn’t that long ago when a Philadelphia team squeaked into the playoffs and went on a playoff run right too the finals. Even if we can’t pull it together and some how miss the post season {something we don’t want} our future still looks good. This team is coming together. I know this season has been a huge disappointment thus far. But we can still make a run. The month of March will either make us or break us. I can’t believe we have Richards, Carter, Kopi, Brown, Quick all on the same team. And if Gange can somehow come back… We could be a team that no body will want to face. I still love our “D”. Mitchell, Scuds, Doughty, VV, Martinez, Greene, and even Drewiske. These are soild “D” men. Now we JUST have to make ir work. Pull this team together Sutter!!! Work your hockey magic, and surprise us all!!!
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KC23 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, It ain’t over till its over. Lots of time left.
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P90X Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:48 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Finally someone with some positiveness. Thank you, tired of all the negatives lately.
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Shakes Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, +1
Totally agree with you
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:09 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Our best cheerleader, you are.
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:27 pm
@Duncanz, Yup, Times 10!
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:26 pm
@King Charles of Salt Lake, Lots of IFS for this year! But you are Bang on about the immediate future starting next season! Regime change may be a blessing in disguise, if it happens. Need more up to date Management Plans for today’s youth driven NHL hockey! Can you name a significantly great acquisition by DL in his 6 years here. Jury is out on Carter so nothing to count there just yet! What else? Williams deal, perhaps a yes? Anything else come to mind? No? Not Me either! Sayonara may be the word for a play-off miss this year! Maybe that could be a good thing, or maybe not? Hard to see in my crystal ball right now! Murky!
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Congrats WILLIE!!!
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If this was Doughty he would of held off until play offs…..
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:50 pm
@Lake Forest, Ha ha ha, lol ! The truth hurts doesnt it ?!
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
@Lake Forest, If this was Doughty, DL would force him to sit till the playoffs for 2 mill, then Tim would step in and say “enough already, give him the 2.2 and let him play.
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Dominick Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
@Lake Forest, Ooops! that’s 3.3, and 3.5 mill.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:30 pm
@Lake Forest, Bazinga!
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Great player and class act….happy he is staying
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Munchrat Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 5:06 pm
@FM3, Just because he signed a contract doesn’t mean he’s staying. just ask JMFJ.
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It’s good to see that we spent the money to keep our fefensive leader on board, and even nicer to see that he wants to stay. That is all reall good news.
Of course now that he signed him to a fair contract and shook hands, Dean’s probably looking at trading him!
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:44 pm
@40YearKingsFan, …..highly doubtful….Slava nedds a mentor…
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Deke'r Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:45 pm
@Deke’r, ….not only nedds but needs as well..
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puck73 Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 3:51 pm
@40YearKingsFan, Dont think so. If he goes down due to injury, we are in world of crap!
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
@puck73, Just maybe the real Willie Mitchell comes to play now? He is better at puck moving then he has shown here so far! We will have to see with him and Voy Toy together at the hip now! Forbid the injury thought for any players! Enough is enough of that stuff, hey 73!
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I dont get some of the hate at DL. Remember he was the one who got JJ for Gleason and Belanger.A great trade. He got Williams for Osullivan. A great move. He got Richards for Schenn, Symonds and a second. A great move. flipped an over valued JJ for an undervalued JC. Built our back end and now is building a dynamic offense. I agree if he doesnt make the playoffs ax him but until then his resume is looking pretty good!!
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zulov Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
@jacky boy, That doesn’t make much sense. If he is as good as you say, why would you ax him if we miss the playoffs?
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:42 pm
@jacky boy, So close is always equally so far away! Its a dichotomy in pro sports for sure! I would argue that its all a crap shoot with personnel moves! Its human assets after all, so no telling for certain on any of it. By and large for DL, he is a billion times better then most of the GMs in this Franchise’s history for sure! It is largely Dave Taylor’s Roster and Farm still! I say a unfinished B- so far for DL! An A for a plan of progress, and a C- in acquisitional Luck! I am hopefully optimistic for an extended stay for him to see a more finished picture of his plan….but according to the local Hockey Gurus in this hockey town (Helene and Lisa & all the LA Times geniuses?, Yeah Right!) DL is gone if no Play offs in 2012! I no like these self indulging gurus in town! Liewecke is a single minded self starter of a leader, influenced by few and takers of none! It is his call for sure. Phil is at Galaxy Games, not here! Do we like him to stay folks? Big if, I say! Ponder it!
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Awesome! Well deserved…
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By the way Rich was there ever any resolution to the Ryan Smyth fiasco. Are we getting any compensatory picks
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Jumblehead Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@jacky boy, Yes there was and no they aren’t.
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:47 pm
@Jumblehead, Bettman dodged that question on TV this week on 3 occasions! They got slapped on the hand and we get to cry in the corner for 15 minutes! Tambellini is a poison pill along with Oil Kings men like Lowe and God knows what other morons! Keep back from those Bozos! Bad merchandise there anyway! Smytty just thinks Banf every night! Good for him! No more Oilers here please! Stay Back!! Down Boy!!
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Good deal!
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congrats to willie…love it when good guys (who actually WANT to play for the Kings) get rewarded. “a” or maybe even a “c” in his future? seems like a good candidate…
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A quote from JJ: :”I’m excited by this,” Johnson told Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. “I’m excited to go to a team that wants me, and to play in a great sports city.”
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Duncanz Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
@zulov, Straight up introductory comment.
Meaning no dissiness to his former club, I’m sure.
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vplaza Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 4:46 pm
@zulov,
As opposed to pulling a Carter when he was traded to CBJ.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:36 pm
@vplaza, You really cannot blame Carter for that though, a decent season with Philly to BJ’s?
Think about it BJ’s.
Sorry JMFJ. But on the bright side, you will be treated like a king there (sure pun intended again) But also speaks to JMFJ’s personality, true class act.
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7 million Bananas!! Sweet deal.
I fear that DL is falling into a trap with all the Sniper rumors.
So in the words of Master Yoda…..”To answer power with power, the Jedi way this is not. In this war, a danger there is, of losing who we are.”
Please DL keep the faith and don’t trade anymore core players for overpaid hype.
I hope the Carter deal works.
GKG!
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:56 pm
@ILLEGALSTICK33, Well, at least its not Anson Carter anyway!! Fingers, toes and unmentionables all crossed for 20 more games! Tough task, but maybe more coming at near nothing expense? Can you say a rental winger? No core melt downs from here on out! Up to them to prove they deserve to stay here! It should be a privilege to stay here, not a sentence!
I am out tonight!
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Great signing. And that’s it for the Kings unrestricted free agents this year (unless you count resigning Penner, Stoll, Parse or Westgarth as critical).
And for next year, that only leaves Quick to sign (unless you consider Gagne, Richardson or Scuderi as critical).
I would say the Kings have their house in order for the next two years and can concentrate on upgrades from the outside.
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Mars Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 7:37 pm
@BluLiner, Bernie too.
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Stoked!
This signing is a Win/Win!
(haven’t seen two Wins in row for a while)
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YES!! one of the best moves from DL to date, next game, issolate Mitchell for 2 consecutive shifts and you will see the real value of this signing!!! THANK YOU WM!!
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Great signing!.. After losing JJ in a needed trade.. Willy comes through. Thanks Willy
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AWSOME!!!! Thanks for staying in LA, Willie!!!
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In looking at this, Willie isn’t getting a raise after providing the solid backstop to the defense for the past couple of years?
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5holer Reply:
February 24th, 2012 at 6:51 pm
@vplaza, He is a team guy and age is a factor, right Darryl Sutter?…right! But he likes the Socal life style I am sure! Most of these boys do and why not!! What did he give up to stay? Nothing worth mentioning in my book, or in his for that matter! He is in!! Next Move!
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Thank you somebody….
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Awesome signing. Willie is a great player who would have had alot of interest from many teams this summer.
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Excelent thanks Dean Lombardi
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Love this move, I was getting worried that we were gonna let him go, if there’s anyone on the team you can count on to play some good D every night it would be him, now if we can get him a SC before he retires
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Willie Mitchell is SOLID, SOLID, SOLID.
I’m happy about this one!
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Willie!!!!! Glad to see the filthy stench of Vancouver is finally off of him!!!
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Oh good.
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if we miss the playoffs, which D-man do you think DL will draft in the first round? and third and fourth?
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Mitchell has been our best D-man all year. stoked!!
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Awesome, was hoping for this to happen. 3.5/year is not bad for what he gives the team either.
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As far as Kings go best news in a while for me! I have mixed feelings about Carter, but this is great!
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So Stoked on this News!!
Willie is a solid guy and plays hard and backs up his team in all ways!
Thanks for signing on the dotted line Willie!!
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