Kings Sign Willie Mitchell to Two-Year Contract

The Los Angeles Kings have announced that they have signed defenseman Willie Mitchell to a two-year contract worth $7 million. The deal averages out to $3.5 million per season. In 48 games last season with the Vancouver Canucks, he had four goals and eight assists for 12 points and 48 penalty minutes. He missed the last 34 games of the 2009-10 season and all 12 of Vancouver's playoff games after suffering a concussion on January 16 after being checked into the end boards by Evgeni Malkin in a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not a bad signing for the Kings, as Mitchell has excellent defensive skill on the blueline. He also plays with lots of grit and toughness and is a great shutdown defenseman. Also, his leadership skills will be invaluable to the relatively young Kings' roster.