Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

It’s a ‘long shot’ Willie Mitchell will play this year

2012 NHL Stanley Cup Final – Game Six

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 11: Willie Mitchell #33 of the Los Angeles Kings holds up the Stanley Cup after the Kings defeated the New Jersey Devils 6-1 to win the Stanley Cup series 4-2 after Game Six of the 2012 Stanley Cup Final at Staples Center on June 11, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

Getty Images

The Los Angeles Kings could have a key defenseman back in the lineup by the end of the regular season.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear another key defenseman will be able to return for the playoffs.

The d-man that could be back is Matt Greene (back).

“I’d say he skated 15 minutes yesterday and I’d say the projection is a month,” general manager Dean Lombardi said today, per LA Kings Insider.

The other one is Willie Mitchell (knee).

“I’d say it’s a very long shot,” said Lombardi. “There’s always ‘maybe’, but I think we’re convinced now he’s not going to play this year. Now, if he comes back, then it’s clearly a bonus.”

Mitchell, 35, was a vital part of last year’s Stanley Cup championship run. In fact, only Drew Doughty played more than the veteran defensive defenseman.

For Lombardi, it begs the question of whether he needs to go out and acquire a blueliner -- perhaps by offering backup goalie Jonathan Bernier -- prior to Wednesday’s trade deadline.