What Number Will Willie Mitchell Wear?
by Quisp on Aug 25, 2010 12:18 PM PDT
in Free Agency
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PrintSince, you know, 8 is taken.
In case you're keeping score at home, the Kings now are a couple million from the cap ceiling, if you assume -- as I do -- that Brayden Schenn, Kyle Clifford and Jacob Muzzin are making the team. Which puts the likelihood of the Kings even re-entering the conversation about Kovalchuk at about zero.
Sean O'Donnell and Alexander Frolov, out. Willie Mitchell and Alexei Ponikarovsky, in. That's an upgrade (watch Fro score 40 goals now).
Randy Jones and Raitis Ivanans, out. Jacob Muzzin and Kyle Clifford, in.
Teddy Purcell out, Brayden Schenn in.
Erik Ersberg out, Jonathan Bernier in.
These are estimates. Your results may vary. Many nice Mitchell videos after the jump:
Willie Mitchell takes one in the face and off the foot (via VanCity12)
Mitchell Levels Toews - Canucks at Blackhawks - 10.21.09 - HD (via CanucksHD)
Vancouver Canucks: Willie Mitchell Scrum (via RKOAdjustment0000)
Willie Mitchell vs. Chris Pronger (via fcfightlog)
Willie Mitchell Save (via TEHDUGGLER)
Willie Mitchell vs Jarome Iginla Oct 11, 2008 (via hockeyfightsdotcom)
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Any word on bonuses and such?
IIRC, Mitchell is eligible for performance based incentives or something since he missed so many games. Can anyone clarify this?
no performance bonuses, because it's a two year deal.
the bonuses for players injured for more than 100 days the previous season only apply in one year deals.
Wait till this year.
Thanks for clearing that up.
Two year deal makes me happy regardless.
Can’t take #8… #18 is retired, #28 is Stoll…
I’ll say he takes #6, since O’Donnell’s gone. And that’s the only single-digit number left (assuming Harrold and Moller both keep their numbers and are on the roster).
He theoretically could take #4, but I’m sure Kings management is still undecided as to whether they will retire it for Blake. Remember, Scuderi, who wore #4 in PIT before coming to LA, switched to #7.
Denis Gauthier sucks at hockey... and life.
As far as the offseason goes… Kings didn’t do a whole lot, but they are an improved team.
Mitchell replaces OD… Poni and Fro basically cancel out, and all the young players are gonna be even better than they were last year.
No Kovalchuk… no Hamhuis/Martin… yet I don’t think there’s any cause for concern this year. Assuming the Quick/Bernier tandem works as well as we think it will, I still think we can challenge for the division title.
Denis Gauthier sucks at hockey... and life.
Agreed
I think that Mitchell is a fairly substantial upgrade over OD at this point, since he is about 7 years younger and just beginning the downslope of his career rather than right at the tail end.
I honestly don’t think the Kings needed a flurry of activity this summer in order to improve themselves. They did about what could be reasonably expected, if you take as a given that Kovalchuk was just plain out of reach.
Assuming Willie is healthy, I would beg him as a clear upgrade. He was defensively our best d-man. And his last full season, 08/09, was the best season of his career in pretty much all respects… 23 points, +29, and the leader of our d-core. He’s only had one season in his entire career in which he had a negative +/-, and that was his first full season.
by Beantown Canuck on Aug 25, 2010 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
*peg him, not beg him\
I would beg him to reconsider and return to the Canucks, though :)
by Beantown Canuck on Aug 25, 2010 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Yeah I’m very happy with Mitchell (as opposed to Martin/Hamhuis). An offensive veteran is great but I think Hickey/Voinov are the two most likely to make it this year and I’m much more comfortable with them playing with Greene rather than Drewiskie/Harrold or another rookie (Muzzin, Fransson)
For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.
How about #14? Perfect replacement for Mattias.
When healthy, LA’s defense is good enough to challenge for the pacific division this year:
Doughty-Scuderi
Mitchell-Johnson
Muzzin/Hickey/Fransson-Greene
Harrold/Drewiske
Bernier and Quick should be better than Quick and Ersberg.
What does Justin Williams have to do with the Los Angeles Kings Defense or Goaltending?
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 25, 2010 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Ahhh! I see what m_and_m was saying now. Apologies for my misunderstanding.
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 25, 2010 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
You don't think Teubert
has a chance to make your team?
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Aug 25, 2010 1:33 PM PDT up reply actions
No. Teubert has a bone injury in his hand and could be out for up to 3 months. Also, Colton has only managed to get 18 games worth of experience at the ECHL level so its very doubtful that he is ready for the NHL at this point.
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 25, 2010 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Colten
is from White Rock so being from that area I like to see how he is doing. Did not know he was hurt. That’s too bad. He is going to be a hell of a good NHLer some day very soon though.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Aug 25, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Defencemen from British Columbia are all the rage these days. It seems like BC is to d-men what Quebec used to be to goaltenders.
by Beantown Canuck on Aug 25, 2010 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
It sounds like an unfortunate situation
It seems that Teubert hurt himself late last season, but injury was not properly diagnosed. He’s only just getting proper treatment on in this summer.
That's a shame
although the longer it takes for you to have a D corp featuring Doughty, Johnson and Teubert the better for my team.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Aug 25, 2010 2:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Stop it
I am depressed. Let’s trade them Bieksa for all their D prospects.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Aug 25, 2010 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Deal. That makes it official.
/jumps in pickup truck, speeds off in a hurry
by Beantown Canuck on Aug 25, 2010 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions
No not yet
Tuebert has a long way to go to be NHL ready. He takes too many dumb penalties and gets into fights that don’t help his team. His skating is sub par. Really he is work in progress.
I personally believe Matty's #14 should be retired...
but that’s just me.
by VoluminousTuna on Aug 25, 2010 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I’d like to see that… but he just hasn’t been a great scoring defenseman, nor won the accolades that you’d expect to see from a D-man to retire his number.
I mean, Matty was a great player for us. But compared to Rogie, Marcel, Dave, Luc, and Wayne (and maybe Rob)… well, those guys are just in another level.
I still think Simmer should have been retired, while we’re at it…
Denis Gauthier sucks at hockey... and life.
He did score one of the great goals in Kings history.
I remember running out to the garage and screaming because my parents were already asleep, lol.
Willie says LA has a good mix on D, he’s flattered by the offer. Said it was a dream to play for Canucks.
From other “sources” it sounds like LA was the only 2 year offer. The other teams wanted 1 year deals. Good Job Dean, you finally won a “bidding” war for an UFA.
5 capable guys fighting for that #6 dman spot
a nice problem to have. I give the nod to Hickey. Sounded like we were very happy with the way he played in the playoffs when he returned.
Don't forget about Fransson
He’s older and is a puck moving defenseman to pair with Greene when he is healthy.
Funny you would say that
I was thinking Hickey/Fransson before Greene’s return. Then they go from linemates to competitors for that final spot.
It’s probably going to be one of Hickey, Voinov, Franson, Muzzin paired with Drewiskie until Greene gets back. Unless two of them a head and shoulders above Drewiskie. You know how they like to reward paying dues. As long as its not Harrold.
For every moment of triumph, for every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled.
As long as its not Harrold.
+1
www.prosportsblogging.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Aug 26, 2010 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions
It’s probably going to be one of Hickey, Voinov, Franson, Muzzin paired with Drewiskie until Greene gets back.
Harrold: Hey, what about me?
Unless two of them a head and shoulders above Drewiske.
Harrold: Awesome, I played above Drewiske last season!
You know how they like to reward paying dues.
Harrold: *Pumps fist
As long as its not Harrold.
Harrold: *tears up, punches hole in top of hat
by RudyKelly on Aug 26, 2010 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Well, it won't be a Highlander situation right out of camp
With Greene gone for the first month or so, there will be room for two rookies. So I suspect the real competition will not be in training camp, but in the regular season games that Greener will miss. So there is plenty of time yet to settle that debate.
Drewiske could fill in for Greene until healthy
Depends on how he approaches training camp. I know Murray wanted him to be more physical. Maybe he will surprise in camp.
Good point
and he could easily slide over once Greene returns. Didn’t he lead our dman core in +/- when he played with Greene? With his size, he does need to turn up the physicality in camp. I hope we still hang on to him regardless.
My guess is:
Scuderi/Doughty
Johnson/Mitchell
Muzzin/Fransson (and then Muzzin/Greene)
Drewiske
Could be Hickey instead of Muzzin or Fransson.
Wait till this year.
Solid signing
Always a good sign when knowledgeable Canucks fans are sorry to see the man go.
Here’s to Malkin getting his comeuppance for both Simmonds and Mitchell on February 10th.
Malkin's Karma
I really, really, really want to see Malkin get the shit beaten out of him. He is an asshole.
Please watch your language. Using the word "Malkin" is offensive.
End Corporate Personhood.
by Player-X on Aug 26, 2010 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
I like this!
Scary d core, scary goaltending, scary PP, and possibly maybe good but well not sure could be hope will be good offense!
Lets see some rookies blow up and steal the show by making us forget we ever doubted our 5 on 5 scoring!!!
"It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane."-Alan Garner
Brayden is a hell of a player
I hope he doesn’t make your team.
"We love them, We mourn for them, Unlucky boys of Red" - Morrissey
"Giggs gets past Viera, past Dixon, who comes back at him, it's a wonderful run from GIGGS!!!" - Martin Tyler
"He's got a man deep..wait, no that IS Mandeep!!" - Don Taylor
by Section 312 on Aug 25, 2010 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
This is what I came up with Kings' salary cap on Cap Geek (Manually Added Mitchell)
Forwards:
1. Smyth-Kopitar-Williams
2. Parse-Schenn-Brown
3. Poni-Stoll-Simmonds
4. Clifford-Handzus-Richardson
Moller/Clune
Defense:
1. DD-Scuderi
2. JJ-Mitchell
3. Greene-Hickey
Muzzin
Goalies:
Quick-Bernier
With this roster we have $5 Million in Cap Space remaining. Let me know if anyone came up with something different.
Just enough room...
to sign Kovalchuk for 20 years ;-0
by WildKaRD on Aug 25, 2010 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
My questions are...
1) Does this finally free up DL to make that trade he has been teasing us with all summer?
2) Which “D” prospects are left out in 2011-2012, or is JMFJ’s days numbered (since all 6 d spots will be resolved/signed by then?)
How interrelated are these 2?
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 25, 2010 3:29 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
well
1) In the sense that DL can now focus on the forwards, in theory. but he has shown himself to be quite patient in that regard.
2) Muzzin, Hickey, Fransson, Drewiske, Harrold, Martinez fighting for two or three spots, only one of which is not press-box. I think it will be one of Muzzin or Muzzin (possibly Muzzin). Hickey and Fransson are also possible. Drewiske will probably stick around for depth. Harrold may count as a forward, I don’t know. Martinez isn’t playing unless their are injuries (or he has a spectacular camp). Teubert is hurt, but that’s okay. he needs a year of minor pro hockey anyway. Voynov…who knows? He and whichever of Hickey, Fransson or Muzzin don’t make it ought to be the first call-ups.
2jj) I don’t think his days are numbered.
Wait till this year.
For answer #2 I was talking about for next season. Whichever of the D you mentioned stick in the #6 spot this year will probably have a leg up on winning the same job in 2011-2012. If that is the case you will have everyone but one of these guys getting TWO additional seasons in the minors: Franson (sp?), hickey, voynov, treubert, muzzin. Treubert is probably ok, but I am thinking neither voynov nor fransson want to stick around 2 more years in Manchester.
So to rephrase my question… Assuming 2010-2011 d-man #6 winner sticks with the kings as d-man #6 in 2011-2012 will fransson and voynov stick around? What to do with the remaining North American d-men toiling in Manchester?
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 25, 2010 8:11 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
There are several viable prospects who may or may not be NHL ready in any given year, so, no I don't think that making it this year means making it next year.
especially with defensemen, where physical maturity is such a big issue. if I had to assign dates to each prospect, in terms of potential readiness…
2007 Johnson
2008 Doughty, Drewiske (Quincey)
2009 Martinez?
2010 Muzzin, Fransson (maybe Hickey)
2011 Hickey, Voynov (maybe Teubert) [Johnson, Doughty RFA; Harrold UFA]
2012 Teubert, Deslauriers [Mitchell UFA]
2013 Forbort, Gravel [Drewiske, Scuderi UFA]
2014 [Greene UFA]
Wait till this year.
I like the idea of signing Mitchell, but I am little worried what this means to our prospects. Maybe now is a good time to choose 1 and move him for a forward. We do not want assets "rotting on the vine".
I understand that not all of our D-prospects will become stars in the NHL, and I also understand that some may not be physically mature enough (yet). My thinking is that with this signing we are blocking our #3 assets (behind Bernier and Schenn), and thus limiting trade value or prospect growth.
So in the listing you have shown, let’s assume Fransson makes it out of camp as #5, and Muzzin #6. When Greene comes back in November, drop Muzzin back to the AHL. From that point on Fransson will be the only D prospect we have in the NHL, and realistically only his spot will be available until the end of 2012 (barring injuries). I think whoever makes it to the end of this year and plays the most out of that #6 D-man position is a good indicator that he will make it in 2011-2012.
It is very possible that someone makes it out of camp as #6 and is ineffective while someone is tearing it up in the AHL. They switch spots.
But I am willing to bet that at the end of the year that #6 position is sown up. Leaving alot of D-man prospects out in the cold.
I know you (Quisp) do not like the idea of trading prospects before they get NHL experience, but with this signing we should consider that. I would rather not trade JMFJ, since a bird in the hand is worth 2 in the bush.
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 26, 2010 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions
Hickey played 19 games last year, Teubert and Voynov are both hurt, Muzzin and Deslaurier haven’t played a full AHL season yet, Forbort’s 18… we have some time.
Besides, we can always trade Greene or Scuderi. Or Johnson. Or anyone who’s not Drew.
This is a good point
I guess I did not think about it, but the fight for #5 and #6 is just a 3 prospect race with all the injuries. And then there is Drewiske and Harrold, neither which I think makes a dent in the competition (of course I felt that way about Martinez fighting for OD’s spot last year…)
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 26, 2010 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions
One way to view Mitchell is that he's a bridge player
A high-level bridge player and not just a warm old body, but a bridge to the younger guys nonetheless. If he plays well and mentors the younger guys until someone like Muzzin or Hickey or Voynov is ready to step up into the top 4, he will have done his job. And it wouldn’t hurt the Kings to have another guy (besides Scuderi, that is) who can be that sort of veteran ‘big brother.’
Realistically, I don’t think there’s much that the Kings can do about the demographic bulge that you mention. They just have more prospects than they can use; they’re like a baby boom, a bulge in the demographic snake. It’s useful in that you mitigate risk — like you say, not all of them will work out — and it’s just better to have too many assets than too few.
All good points — and we know how Dean believes in the value of AHL seasoning. More time for development is a good thing.
They are all young enough that this is not a problem. Take Hickey — some people are saying he absolutely has to make it this year, or he’s a bust. While it’s regrettable that he missed most of last season, Hickey is still only 21; guys like Keith have hit the NHL when they’re 22 or 23, and that’s just fine. This is not a year that he has to make that jump. In fact, it might be better if he doesn’t. But camp is going to be interesting.
I don’t think we’ll have too many in the end. Some will work out, some might not. Even if they all turn out great, you can stagger some of their promotions — and the rest will be tradeable assets.
In Dinglebarn We Trust
I agree with everything you all say...
I guess I am just hoping to turn one of these prospects into another top 6 LW. I understand we have a problem of plenty, and maybe I have watched too many baseball prospects wither on the vine, but it seems like now is a good time to strike and make a trade for an impact top-6 guy.
I am not really worried about 1 individual (i.e. Hickey, even though Fransson or Voynov might choose to go to another league), I am more worried about leveraging our assets properly. I believe we are in a point in the success cycle that we should be trading some of these guys away. And I know we Kings fans have been burnt by the quick fix in the past, and by no means am saying that this should be a quick fix trade.
Btw, does anyone here know what the peak age for Defensemen is? I think puck prospectus says something like early 20’s, but that does not quite make sense to me. If anyone knows where the study is, let me know.
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 26, 2010 1:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Can't argue against that
I’d agree that it’s not a bad time to trade prospects for a proving scoring forward. Lombardi might well agree, as well; he did say in January that he now looks at the team in terms of short-term improvement as well as long-term improvement, a balance between win now and win later.
In fact, if anything, signing Mitchell would free up a D prospect for the trade pool. The question, of course, is picking the right prospects to trade. ;-)
The closest analogue that I can think of to the Kings’ current situation with their young players is the Dodgers in the 1970s, when they were famous for having a loaded farm system and making good use of ‘home-grown’ players. But Al Campanis wasn’t really shy about trading away prospects for established players; e.g., he bagged Dusty Baker from Atlanta for a bunch of young guys who never really panned out. I think that’s the kind of deal that Lombardi should be looking for, and I think he is keeping his radar active for something like that. We’re just not going to hear about it until it actually happens.
That type of trade is exactly what I was thinking. Pick the one young D-prospect not likely to succeed, but some one the rest of the league does not yet realize is not likely to succeed. (I.e now is not a good time to trade Treubert). The Kings have more information on these guys than anyone else, where as a top 6 forward is a well know commodity in the league. Use that advantage.
by Clever Kings Handle on Aug 26, 2010 2:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
That’s a really interesting question. I can’t cite anything for defensemen, but I’ve seen people throw around 23 or 24 as the age that they’re expected to fully mature into their roles (freaks of nature like Doughty notwithstanding).
The peak age for forwards is 25-26 based on point production. I wonder if that peak is pushed back a bit for defensemen, since their development generally takes longer, or if the peak of energy level at that age + just enough experience makes it roughly the same? Obviously point totals wouldn’t be the right metric…hmm. I hope someone can answer this.
I agree that we need to be trading some of the kiddos soon, but I have no problem with waiting until next year if nothing truly fabulous comes up. Now if we can just avoid that lockout…
In Dinglebarn We Trust
Personally, I’m of the opinion that JJ’s days are numbered and he will be dealt. I have a hunch that the combination of his looking to play closer to home (I have NO source for that idea) + past issues with Dean + the $$$ he will demand (not unreasonably) will lead to his moving on in return for a good haul coming back.
So JZarris….since you mentioned it, I’m curious about your “hunch”. Clearly, JJ’s dad has always been a factor, and when Fox highlighted his father on dad’s night, I had to cringe. Let’s just say that I thought he was a little nutty (or drunk, which I would have no problem with, but he seemed nutty). Plus it seems to me that JJ has never really bought into the “core player” mantra, Don’t get me wrong. I think JJ is bad ass and is just now showing his potential, but I have a “hunch” too that he can’t handle the fame of Drew Doughty. Really, the Kings made him the d man that they were going to hang their mantle on until they drafted doughty, who is clearly an anomoly (or special player as they say in hockey terms). It must be hard for him…. but tough luck..we all know that is how life works, right? If JJ can get his head right, he could see that it isn’t competition but cooporation that will win him the Stanley Cup.I would really like to see him as part of the core group.
by kings4queens on Aug 26, 2010 12:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I’ve followed Jack’s career for quite a while and I love the guy as a player and would love to have him around for a long time. My hunch is based on my personal perception that Jack loves a certain amount of adulation that I don’t think he’ll ever get in LA and has a real genuine connection to both hockey and community in the region he grew up in. Returning to the area, or near it, would be gratifying to him on multiple levels (especially if the price was right). Then again, if the price was right I would imagine he would be just fine here (but there are other factors…hunch again).
he's an RFA; he has no f***ing say in it.
Unless he wants to hold out. Which would be self-destructive, in my opinion. Although it worked for POS.
Wait till this year.
Well...
it worked for POS after a fashion. I mean, in the sense that he seems to have wanted out and gotten out. Can’t imagine that he’s terribly happy about how things have worked out since then. Certainly, I wouldn’t say that he’s better off than he would have been if he’d just stayed with the Kings.
Well, I don’t necessarily agree, obviously. I think perhaps you are undervaluing the leverage an RFA with an attitude (not necessarily negative) and dreams of big $$$/glory has in the situation. Basically, I don’t think he gets to RFA status before he is dealt as a result of the aforementioned factors.
Haha. I was busy moving today, over at the new place with no internets. I said to myself, “After spending all summer slavishly awaiting Kings news, this will probably work.”
Ta da. I should just try to get banned.
This is neat, though. I know getting a free agent feels like “winning” and missing out on one feels like “losing,” but the fact is that we won’t be able to evaluate the wisdom of this for quite some time. That said, I hope all the tantrum-throwing “DEAN IS DOING NOTHING, WAAAAAAA” people don’t choke on their crow sandwich. And I hope Willie will be healthy and happy here for a long time.
In Dinglebarn We Trust
by Niesy on Aug 25, 2010 4:29 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
HAHAHA
That is how it was for me with the whole Kovi contract deal. I watched and watched, minute by minute and then I was in a meeting or something and someone who wasn’t even a hockey fan said “so I guess the NHL rejected the deal, huh?”. I felt gypped, kind of.
I like this deal alot though. As Section 312 said over at Nucks Misconduct “The last thing the western conference needs is Drew Doughty learning from Willie.” Cheers Section! At least you will have Dewey back for the Olympics again, if it happens…
by kings4queens on Aug 25, 2010 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
then I was in a meeting or something and someone who wasn’t even a hockey fan said "so I guess the NHL rejected the deal, huh?
Oh, man! How surreal.
Good luck with your trip up to Vancouver, too…I always have a great time in that city. I’m going to see if I can wheedle my way into another trip up there (I think I can).
In Dinglebarn We Trust
The number is a little high
But we finally did something right… Now watch him get concussed while signing the damn contract…
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
I need some guidance
My boyfriend got free travel from Alaska Air so we were contemplating going for the season opener in Vancouver. We both agreed that if we signed Willie we would go. Not only are we meeting our playoff rivals, but now we could see Mitchell face his old team. Seems like so much fun! So now I’m not sure how to get tickets. Everyone keeps making it seem like it’s impossible. I’ve never been to Vancouver so I don’t know what to expect. There are plenty of really expensive tickets on stubhub (like $130 each for the 300 section), but single tickets won’t go on sale until early September. Does anyone have any advise, and is anyone on here going? It would be fun to meet up (even with you nice Canucks fans that post here). I’d appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
I don’t know if there is any restrictions on out of town addresses or not, but you could try going to Canucks.com and signing up for…I think it is called “Last seat in the House”.
There is a mechanism for season ticket holders to sell their unused tickets.
And yes, you guys got a good great defenseman. As a fan of Willie, I hope he makes that contract look great.
Now that he is a King though…let me remind you that the last one was his third and most serious concussion. He is a solid D man though. Hope he stays healthy…wait, no I don’t now.
Damn…so conflicted!
Thanks for the pointers vancitydan! I’m 49 years old and I’m of the belief that most things in life happen without some logical order. For instance, I don’t think that the likelyhood of Mitchell getting another concusion is more or less likely than that happening to Drew Doughty. Quisp will surely challenge me on this with charts and stuff. Bring it on Quisp, but you might actually agree with the variables! I guess my point is that Willie has been able to bounce back and find a place for himself to play hockey again. I’m delighted to have him because it shows his character and tenacity. How does minnd over matter factor in? I think only time will tell. So are you going to the season opener vancitydan?
Don’t know if I make it to the game. I will definitely be watching though.
The thing is, and medically a fact that you are more predisposed to have another concussion after you have had one.
That is more likely when they are close together…but he was out far longer this time, and took longer to heal than before.
I think the key to this contract is the term
2 years is not that long, and the $ amount is not unreasonable for a player of Mitchell’s reputation. So the Kings’ risk is limited. He really is kind of a high-level bridge player, someone who is supposed to fill a role and set a good example until the younger guys are ready to take his place.
In this case, I actually think it makes less sense to ask, “How well does he have to play to make the contract worthwhile?” than it does to as, “What would have to happen to make it a bad idea to have signed Mitchell at these terms?” Let’s consider that Mitchell has an unusually high risk at this point of suffering a career-ending concussion. What are the chances that it will happen sometime within the next two seasons? Let’s say that up until that point, he has been an exemplary shut-down defenseman. If the Kings get 1.5 really good seasons out of him before he goes down, is his time with the Kings a failure? How about if they get 1 really good season? Or one-half a really good season? It seems to me that as you slide that scale down toward 0, you’re talking about less and less likely outcomes. So right now, it seems to me that the Kings are taking a reasonable gamble.
Good questions.
My feeling? 1 good year of (at least) “somewhat” better then O’D, both on and off ice makes it a good pickup. If 1.5 years or more then excellent.
I have little doubt when year end stamina is added to the analysis the Mitchell pickup will prove even more successful. O’D seemed spent (as did Smyth) at the end of the season.
I worry Mitchell will be most vulnerable the first sixty games or so. After that he should be considered solid to finish his contract.
I like the Mitchell and Poni adds. While not large leaps each position seems a little stronger for them.
Glad we signed him, but...
…the question remains, who is going to trade punches when the situation demands it? Mitchell is a rough, tough D-man; in other words, a throw-down threat. Last thing I want to see is him getting clocked in some brawl and missing 6 months.
End Corporate Personhood.
Blockquoted paragraph
Sean O’Donnell and Alexander Frolov, out. Willie Mitchell and Alexei Ponikarovsky, in. That’s an upgrade (watch Fro score 40 goals now)
I think Fro may be fine for the first month after which the East will quickly learn that he is not very successful at skating through checks along the boards.
You only need to type “bq.” You don’t need to type “bq. Blockquoted paragraph”
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 26, 2010 10:15 AM PDT up reply actions
BTW
It has been 24 hours since the Kings announced Mitchell’s signing and I see no mention of it on the LA Times online sports page. So everybody else has picked up the story except for our local newspaper of record. :-0
Whoda thunk it? Gladys Kravitz goes on vacation, and the LAT’s hockey coverage goes all to heck.
Here you go.
I don’t know exactly when this article was posted, but it’s there.
by VoluminousTuna on Aug 26, 2010 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions
3 words I never want to hear again (or any form of):
1) Kovalchuk
2) concussion
3) lockout
Thank you,
Your world-wide-web administator
carry on…
Wille and Fro
Excited to have Wille on board!.. he is just what we need. Big -Solid-Tough.. love OD so no disrespect but he is getting a little slow. As for Fro.. he will have a GREAT year.. and will score many goals.. disagree with all who said he and Poni are equals.. we did not come out ahead here at all..
here’s to the 10-11 season
GO KINGS GO !!!
Frolov didn't fit in Murray's system.
He wasn’t let go because he doesn’t have skill. In a Crawford run-and-gun system, Frolov is a 30 goal scorer, but in Murray’s more disciplined system and on a playoff team, he only scored 19 goals.
Dean felt that Poni is a better fit on the third line with Handzus and Simmonds. I agree. The Kings could have one of the best shutdown lines in hockey that can chip in 50-60 goals.
When Greene is healthy, the Kings will have 3 top shutdown defensemen in their lineup. As long as one of Hckey, Muzzin or Fransson prove they belong in the NHL, the Kings will have a very balanced defense. Drewiske should be able to fill in for Greene while he is injured.
The Kings just need one of the kids to step up to a top 6 role. Competition for spots are good for training camp. The Kings have a lot of top prospects.
Can’t wait for training camp!
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