Willie Mitchell wasn’t on the ice Wednesday as the team practiced for the first time at the Toyota Sports Center since returning from the four-game Central Division swing. Mitchell updates have been infrequent for the past two weeks, though Darryl Sutter weighed in when asked by a reporter for an update following this morning’s skate.
Darryl Sutter, on Willie Mitchell’s status:
“Willie Mitchell, I have no update. The only thing I can tell you is historically he’s a player that’s missed significant periods of time in his career, and it appears that he’s historically doing that again.”
Historically, Sutter is hilarious.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:44 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsDaysEarly.com),
Sutter knows his history. He’s been around since Christ was a child..
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 3:41 pm
@Paul Armbruster (KingsNewsDaily.com), Historically hysterical.
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That sucks! We’re gonna be asking a lot from the youngsters. I for one, think they’re gonna step up! GKG!
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OUCH! Sutter sounds a little miffed by it all.
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What's the frequency, Kenneth? Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 3:42 pm
@KOHO, That was my take, too.
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He has a concussion,that’s what it is.
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KOHO Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:24 pm
@Chris Brito, it sure seems that way. I hope he’s OK, hate to see Deadmarsh revistied again.
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LB Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:35 pm
@Chris Brito,
Either it’s a concussion, or Sutter thinks that Mitchell is not willing to play through pain.
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Deke'r Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:40 pm
@LB, ….or Willy is just enjoying his time off as a Stanley Cup Champion…..
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goldielocks Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:56 pm
@Chris Brito,
Pure speculation. Last time I heard, he still has swelling on his knee.
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brian spain Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:02 pm
@Chris Brito, Chris, did you go to Pacifica High School? I played on the golf team with a Chris Brito in 1983
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LAKMiles Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:36 pm
@Chris Brito, LOL how did he get a Concussion in the off-season? Fell off the porch after drinking too much out of Lord Stanley?
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Pasadena Hockey Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 3:24 pm
@LAKMiles, I agree, I don’t see how it could be a concussion either. He is older and his knee is not responding. Mitchell hasn’t had any concussion issues for a while. Let’s hope he is back on ice in the near future.
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luc20rules Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 6:51 pm
@Pasadena Hockey, I’m just hoping its not a infection like the one that ended Barry Bonds career. From what I understand it was a very simple knee scope surgery to remove some loose cartlidge and many football players have been back after about 15 days or so. The MRI showed no structual damage, but apparently there is swelling after workouts? Hope he get back on the ice in time for the Kings to make the playoffs, but the idea of rushing him back before he feels he has enough strength in his knee is crazy.
Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 8:49 pm
@LAKMiles, Um I hope he wasn’t drinkiing out of Lord Stanley……I honk you hvae to pay extra for that and it’s Illegal in some states.
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 8:50 pm
@Harrison Merkin, *honk? Dumb thumbs. *I think you have to pay extra…..
KINGCANADA88 Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 4:05 pm
@Chris Brito, It’s his knee. I actually had the great honour to play some hockey with Willie over the Christmas holidays up at Silver Star Mountain Resort in Vernon, British Columbia.
The pond was shutting down and my girlfriend and I were one of the last to get off and then Willie and his wife showed up. I ironically was in an LA King hoody and we actually played some good ol pond hockey together for a bit. He said he had knee surgery in the fall and that it was very tender. He said it was the first time he was on the ice and when I asked if he would consider Europe if the then-lockout continued, he said no and that he needed some time to heal and play at the NHL level.
Unless he hit his head in the past 45 days, its his knee.
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Save, Hrudey! Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 4:42 pm
@KINGCANADA88,
coincidentally, not “ironically”
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 7:52 pm
@KINGCANADA88, Great experience, man!
Next time when your girlfriend stalks off in disgust like that, have a friend on hand with your cellphone so you can get a million photos!
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 8:57 pm
@Chris Brito, Wi
Willie is one of those Kats that won’t play his way into shape. He wants to be 110% before he returns to the ice. It’s about pride to a certain extent. He doesn’t want to fill a roster spot until he can give his team mates everything he has. It was the same thing with his melon a few years back. Admirable to be honest but, as a Kings fan watching our D struggle some, it can be a bit maddening. I get the feeling our “old time hockey” coach may be feeling the same way.
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:10 pm
@Harrison Merkin, Nice to see you back here, Mr Merkin.
Your last post I remember you were ditching us for a rival website.
Hard to give it up for good, isn’t it..
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:51 pm
@Duncanz, I didn’t ditch my fellow contributors. Rather the lack of content given us in the absence of the venerable Mr Hammonds. Its not the same by any stretch but, I did miss the banter of the regulars here.
Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:00 pm
@Harrison Merkin, Of course you did, of course you did.
Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:06 pm
@Duncanz, Can I get that hug?
Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 11:29 pm
@Harrison Merkin, If you can be trusted not to ditch us again.
luc20rules Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:16 pm
@Harrison Merkin, Well put. I also remember that is likely the same reason we were able to pouch this great talent in UFA. The other teams paniced and paid big $ for a lesser Dman earlier in the FA market and guaranteed player. Kings waited knowing they could fall back on a prospect, but DL was holding out for Mitchell.
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Harrison Merkin Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:57 pm
@luc20rules, I respect his process and appreciate his ability to recognize when his body will allow him to perform at the level he and all of us have come to expect. I’d rather have him completely healthy down the stretch than to see him float in and out with a nagging injury. Just saying that DS sounds like he’d rather see some of that old time mentality. That said, I believe the line combinations are working out well and our boys are finding their legs.
I dunno, looking at his stats, looks like he hasn’t played under 60 games in a season since 2001
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Sutter thinks Willie is milking it.
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Well this settles it for me, He is not giving much info up about whats up… I mean if he doesnt want to play then be upfront about it…
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@pr0cess, What exactly is this (supposed) precious information you’re looking for? And why is it hard to accept that Mitchell isn’t up to skating and doesn’t know when he will be?
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Fairly straight forward.
Mitchell isn’t ready.
Amart ready in about a week.
But logic only gets in the way of those who lust for drama.
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:58 pm
@jess,
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Lake Forest Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:59 pm
@Lake Forest, agreed. Mitchell will be back when he is ready. I don’t believe he is milking anything
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luc20rules Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 6:46 pm
@Lake Forest, +1
HockeyNerd Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:04 pm
@jess, +1
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LB Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:16 pm
@jess, You would be completely right…if Sutter wasn’t giving these kind of answers about Mitchell, but he is…so it’s not straight forward.
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
@LB,
I hear him saying Mitchell isn’t ready. Are you hearing something else? To speculate on what is not known seems a little ridiculous.
It appears that some don’t realize that there are important tactical reasons for the health of the team to not talk too much. To me it’s obvious.
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HockeyNerd Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:51 pm
@jess, Agree completely…. Plus which if the injury is day to day then it’s day to day! If there’s no news, there’s no news! Why is that so hard for everyone not named @jess to understand?
LB Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:53 pm
@jess, Yeah that’s why they give vague answers like for example “week to week” with a lower body injury… but the updates on this injury have been like nothing before.
First Sutter was saying how Mitchell’s been cleared by everyone and was wondering why he’s not practicing…now he’s seemingly calling him out for missing a lot of games historically.
This is just different than any other injury update that I can remember. You might be right, but it’s just been a strange way to provide updaets.
jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:56 pm
@LB,
Well I hear ya. It’s a unique situation, but remember it’s the human body. Anything can change from one day to the next. It would appear something has occurred which was unexpected.
Hell, even machines break down once in a while
well Voynov, Martinez, DD2 where all given chances when other precieved better players went down or left, thankfully the job they do with scouting and in Manchester to get these D-men going, if Mitch and Green don’t come back this year we probably won’t win the cup but it will be very valuable learning for young d-men we will need very much next year and beyond. Does anyone know if there is a way to get Forbert out of school this year and up to Manchester? or is that just out of the question? I also remember Gravel is a very big tough D-man, I can’t wait to see him at another level to see what he’s got
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Duncanz Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 1:54 pm
@Ravens, Silver linings, for sure.
I wonder if DS is frustrated because he quietly thinks that the (post) season is lost without Willie..
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Penguins Trade Tangradi to Jets for 7th Round Pick.
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Michael J. Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:23 pm
@goldielocks,
Wow! Did you get this off the “high-speed sports wire”?
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Hard for me to believe that Mitchell is milking it. Just seems like the type of guy who’s a gamer. I always noticed he was the last one to leave the ice during warm ups before games and he’s someone the younger guys look up to. Something is wrong with his recovery but I don’t think he’s milking it.
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pr0cess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:11 pm
@Kopi Bryant, But why cant he come out and speak about it? Say something like “I wish i could be out there helping the Guys but its taking longer then we thought” That alone would make everyone go cool ok. He doesnt have to but there has been all this side comments from the Coach and then the fact no one knew he had knee surgry that the team didnt know about?? I dont know some words would be nice is all
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LB Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:19 pm
@pr0cess,
Yeah it’s very strange for sure.
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Kopi Bryant Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:20 pm
@pr0cess, Yeah I understand, but I’m thinking he’s told not to say anything publicly kinda like when someone gets an infamous “Lower” or “Upper Body Injury”.
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 2:42 pm
@pr0cess,
Sports is basically simulated warfare. You talk too much, two things happen:
1. You give away too much information to opposing teams.
2. It creates issues in the locker room with your own guys who really just need to focus on their game.
It’s the coach’s job (a good coach) to mitigate extraneous drama.
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I dont get it…obviously its not meant for me to get it but still…The beating around the bush approach while generally the norm and acceptable is killing me in this case.
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I love Darryl and his dry wit. He might know more than he’s letting on, but he’s just being honest when he says, “I don’t know.” I’ve said it before, if Willie’s not on the ice, Darryl isn’t going to worry about him. I was told once, take the things you can control put them in a basket, take the things you can’t control and throw them in another basket and toss it away. Worry about the things you can control. Darryl can’t control whether Willie plays or not. Until Willie’s on the ice, it doesn’t matter. You play the game with what you have.
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@jess, Personally, I sense a bit of irritation from Sutter. Not directed at Willie, but rather the media because they are like dogs with a bone about WM. I mean, he’s getting this question probably at least once a week (if not more) and he’s probably getting tired of saying, Look, he’s injured; when he’s ready, he’ll come back and play but until then, we have other things to worry about.
At least, that’s my speculation. I could be wrong
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 3:16 pm
@Robyn,
You could be right there.
I look at it this way. A coach really has to employ numerous skills to manage a team of young guys and do it effectively: a high paid baby-sitter / mentor / teacher /psychologist / tactician etc..
It’s a tough job, and IMO (from what I’ve seen) he’s one of the best ever.
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darryl Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:25 pm
@Robyn,
Sutter could just say “”he’s out indefinitely” and move on. Instead, he’s purposely taking shots at Mitchell with comments like “I’m not a pyschiatrist,” The frustration is not with the media; it’s with a hockey player refusing to play despite being cleared to do so by multiple doctors and trainers. Sutter’s used to (the vast majority of) players itching to play before they’re medically cleared; Mitchell doing the opposite is clearly not sitting well with the coach.
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Damn phone, made me reply incorrectly. At least I’m going to blame the technology…
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Sounds like DS does not think to much of Willie Mitchel and all the games he misses every year.
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There is a few names out there that can come in and replace Mitchell. Such as Robyn Regehr, Mike Weaver, Fedor Tyutin, Mark Stuart, or even take a chance on Jay Bouwmeester. The Kings have the prospects to pay the price for another run.
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 4:01 pm
@Brad,
In the words of my good friend, @puck73:
“Who or what would you be willing to give up for that?”
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Brad Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 7:04 pm
@jess, well the Sabres gave up Chris Butler to get Regehr. He’s now a couple years older, and is a UFA at season’s end. I think the Kings could easily get him for a 2nd round pick or Jake Muzzin. As far as Bouwmeester the Kings would probably have to give up a bit more, such as Tanner Pearson. But Tyutin would be the best target, I would give up Bernier to get my hands on him.
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 7:37 pm
@Brad,
Can’t give up Bernier yet, not until there’s a replacement for him. Jones is coming along but not quite there. As far as the rest of our prospects, not sure I would give away large pieces of our future to get back uncertain things.
We still have a very strong ability to compete this year, and remember, DL ain’t no riverboat gambler!
When he makes a trade, you won’t even see it coming and the GM from the other team won’t either.
Brad Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 9:50 pm
@jess, Bernier will be traded before the trade deadline, he’s a RFA at season’s end, and DL knows he has holes on defense. He’s not going to wait until the summer to trade him when he needs help now. Bernier is going to command money similar to what Schneider got in Vancouver, and DL isn’t going to pay that for a backup. Martin Jones is 23, how much longer to want to wait to give this guy a backup job? Price and Rask are 25 already. Plus the Kings have to make decisions on Forbort, Vey, Weal, Kozun, and Campbell, cause next season will see the departures of Scuderi, Penner, and Richardson. You have to play your prospects or trade them for players that can play. We can’t do what happened to Hickey with all these guys.
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jess Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 10:00 pm
@Brad,
I disagree about Bernier, but you could be right, and the points you made are respected and decently thought out.
luc20rules Reply:
February 13th, 2013 at 7:00 pm
@Brad, Sure we just need to get a one of their GMs to go to Tip a King and trade one of those guys for some mystery pucks and a mystery envelope. The players you mentioned would not be dealt for one prospect, but high draft picks and a top 4 NHL roster player. Maybe Weaver would be cheap, but he is small and more like Peter Harold than a true shutdown top 4 Dman.
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Sounds like Mitchell is taking his cues from Dwight Howard.
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Get well soon Willie! The Kings obviously need you back in a big way, but get that knee 100% before coming back. Kings are primed for a second half run. On the bright side, our young defenseman are getting valuable game experience and the Kings got Ellerby because of this. Might have found a gem in Ellerby.
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I like Willie Mitchell a lot and without him we weren’t going to win the cup last year.
Having said all that this is a new season and I for one do not want to either be an early out or not make it t all. And if part of that reason is because WM won’t get his ass out on the ice, I’m not happy about it at all.
Sutter is right, throughout his career, he’s a guy who misses significant time due to injury. Is he snake bit or is he just not willing to play through the pain to help the team..
I don’t know but I won’t pretend to be happy about the situation at all.
Concussion I understand..that can affect the rest of his life..but a knee injury that should have been good to go more than 2 months ago?
C’mon Willie..get your ass out tthere and play!!!!’
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Russ Dynda Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 6:30 am
@Nykingfan, With a comment like that I think you should post just where and when you got your medical degree and tell us the last time you examined Willie.
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Wow! Am I the only person here who sees Sutter’s comments to the press about Mitchell as insulting and a threat to team morale? I remember Andy Murray saying something similar years ago regarding Jason Allison and Allison blew his top. He never played for us again and was only able to play one more year at reduced output. I hope that Sutter’s loose lip doesn’t have the same effect on Willie Mitchell, who has been an important contributor for us. I know that Sutter’s style is crude, but all his suggestively negative comments about his players to the media cannot be anything but detrimental. There is ABSOLUTELY NO GOOD REASON to make such a comment.
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