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Willie Mitchell | Defenseman

Team: Los Angeles Kings
Age / DOB:  (36) / 4/23/1977
Ht / Wt:  6'3' / 205
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi is concerned that Willie Mitchell's knee injury could cause him to miss next season, possibly even ending his career.
Mitchell had two surgeries on his knee, which was injured during the lockout, and the Kings GM expressed his worry over the 35-year-old's availability for next season. In terms of his career, that’s what I think we have to figure out now where he is health-wise in terms of his career," Lombardi said. ... "Now I’m getting some information – and I don’t like speaking to it because I don’t have it all, but I guess it’s safe to say there would be a legitimate concern now whether he plays next year. But that could be premature. Let’s just say now, though, it’s possible, where I wouldn’t have thought it possible." Mitchell has another year left on his deal at $3.5 million, and there's a chance he could be bought out this offseason. Apr 3 - 8:56 PM

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Player News

Date:

Willie Mitchell (knee) isn't likely to return this season.

"I’d say it’s a very long shot…There’s always ‘maybe’, but I think we’re convinced now he’s not going to play this year," Kings GM Dean Lombardi said. "Now, if he comes back, then it’s clearly a bonus." Mitchell hasn't played at all this season, which is a far bigger blow to the Kings than it is to most fantasy owners.
Mar 29 - 4:56 PM

Willie Mitchell underwent another procedure on his knee Tuesday, according to Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi.

Mitchell underwent platelet-rich plasma therapy, according to Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times. PRPT has become increasingly popular among athletes in recent months, but Lombardi would only describe the procedure as "something (Mitchell) wanted to try." Mitchell has been medically cleared to play, but there has been talk he might miss the entire season. Adding to the confusion, Lombardi said Tuesday the Kings are still in the "same holding pattern" with Mitchell's recovery. More as we know it.
Feb 26 - 5:55 PM

Willie Mitchell (knee) isn't expected to participate in the Kings' upcoming three-game road trip.

Beyond that there's been no update on Mitchell's status. He's been medically cleared to play, but it's also been suggested that he might miss the entire season. If that sounds confusing to you, then you're not alone. It doesn't help that Kings coach Darryl Sutter has previously voiced his displeasure over the situation. On top of that, Mitchell's agent and Kings GM Dean Lombardi exchanged contradictory statements regarding whether or not Mitchell has suffered a setback in late January.
Feb 16 - 1:18 PM

GM Dean Lombardi says the Kings are operating on the premise that Willie Mitchell (knee) will not play again this season.

Lombardi was careful to state the Kings aren't sure if Mitchell will miss the season, but this certainly sounds foreboding. Lombardi's words also appear to lend credence to Mitchell's agent suggesting his client suffered a setback in his rehab. Given his limited upside and the fact that no one seems to know for sure when he'll be back, it's probably time for fantasy owners in most formats to part ways with Mitchell.
Feb 8 - 12:36 PM

Willie Mitchell (knee) didn't participate in Friday's practice.

There seems to be some conflicting statements between Mitchell's agent suggesting that he has suffered a setback and Kings GM Dean Lombardi, who said an MRI revealed no setback. Either way, the bottom line for fantasy owners is this: Mitchell is not playing and there seems to be no timetable for his return.
Feb 1 - 2:55 PM

Willie Mitchell's agent, Mike Luit, suggested that his client has suffered a setback in his attempt to return from a knee injury.

"…In an effort to return as soon as possible, he over-committed to his rehab and the knee did not respond in kind," Luit said. "As is the case sometimes, this causes swelling and other irritation to the joint. The result is the rehab is pushed back and the athlete has to accept that he must allow the injured area to calm down and start back at a slower pace. Of course, given the circumstances of this season, this frustrates everyone; Willie more than anyone else." What makes this weird is that Mitchell recently underwent an MRI and Kings GM Dean Lombardi said it revealed "no structural damage and no setback." Kings coach Darryl Sutter also voiced his frustration over the situation and said that he can't explain Mitchell's absence because he's not "a doctor or a psychologist."
Jan 31 - 10:37 AM

An MRI on Willie Mitchell's knee revealed "no structural damage and no setback," according to GM Dean Lombardi.

Mitchell was medically cleared to return to the lineup last week, but has refused to do so. After he refused to even skate on Sunday or Monday, Kings coach Darryl Sutter said that he's not "a doctor or a psychologist" so he can't explain it. Sutter has expressed some frustration over the situation, but Mitchell still has to be considered day-to-day under these bizarre circumstances.
Jan 30 - 10:37 AM

Willie Mitchell didn't skate for a second straight day on Monday and coach Darryl Sutter still isn't pleased about it.

Sutter said he is not "a doctor or a psychologist" so he can't explain why Mitchell isn't back yet after receiving medical clearance from the team's trainers last week. The defenseman has held up returning to ensure he is 100 percent and it's his call when he will play.
Jan 28 - 4:31 PM

Willie Mitchell (knee) doesn't think he's ready to return to the Kings' lineup yet, although he might be alone in that belief.

"You know what, he's got doctor's clearance," Kings coach Darryl Sutter said. "He's got trainers' clearance. Coaches want him to clear himself. So do it." Mitchell wants to focus on getting his conditioning to where he wants it to be. He's also concerned about coming back too quickly and aggravating the injury. Regard him as doubtful for Thursday's game.
Jan 24 - 10:37 AM

Willie Mitchell (knee) is now able to fully participate in practices.

Mitchell has been traveling with the team, but his status for Thursday's game isn't clear. He averaged 22:13 minutes per game with the team during the 2011-12 campaign.
Jan 23 - 10:35 AM

GM Dean Lombardi admitted on Monday that Willie Mitchell underwent knee surgery to remove some cartilage two months ago.

Mitchell was supposed to need only two weeks of recovery after the surgery but it has been seven already and he is still not ready. Apparently Mitchell pushed the healing process too much while recovering and had a big setback. Do not count on him at the beginning of the season.
Jan 15 - 9:04 AM

Willie Mitchell missed practice on Sunday with a knee injury.

Mitchell tweaked his knee over a month ago and is still not ready to return. Consider him day-to-day for now. While his stats do not warrant a fantasy pick, his defensive play helps out goaltenders Jonathan Quick and Jonathan Bernier.
Jan 14 - 9:10 AM

Willie Mitchell reportedly tweaked his knee about a month ago, according to Lisa Dillman.

The Los Angeles Kings hope to take a look at his injury for themselves. Mitchell isn't a big fantasy stats guy, but his loss could make an impact on Jonathan Quick (or Jonathan Bernier's) numbers.
Jan 6 - 5:23 PM

Los Angeles defenseman Willie Mitchell lashed out at the NHL owners for their negotiating tactics.

"It's one of the only places in the world where they [owners] sign them [contracts] and renege on them without us being creditors," Mitchell said. "If they're all signed before and knowing you had a plan for a rollback or escrow to claw all this money off players, that's not negotiating in good faith." The players are starting to get angry.
Tue, Oct 30, 2012 08:58:00 AM

Depth Charts

All Positions
PosRoleName
C1Anze Kopitar
2Mike Richards
3Jarret Stoll
4Colin Fraser
5Jordan Nolan
LW1Dwight King
2Dustin Penner
3Brad Richardson
4Kyle Clifford
RW1Dustin Brown
2Jeff Carter
3Justin Williams
4Trevor Lewis
5Anthony Stewart
6Tyler Toffoli
D1Drew Doughty
2Willie Mitchell
3Slava Voynov
4Alec Martinez
5Jacob Muzzin
6Robyn Regehr
7Robert Scuderi
8Keaton Ellerby
9Matt Greene
G1Jonathan Quick
2Jonathan Bernier
3Martin Jones
4Jean-Francois Berube