Thread: Sutter apparently not happy with Mitchell's decision to sit out another game

I didn't see it discussed and this was an eyebrow raiser for me.

EDMONTON, Canada -- Kings Coach Darryl Sutter, the minister of bluntness, was at it again on this textbook winter day in Alberta.

With the Kings trying to avoid a 0-3 start, attention turned to the future availability of veteran defenseman Willie Mitchell. Mitchell had knee surgery during the lockout and is moving along.

Not fast enough, apparently.

"You know what, he's got doctor's clearance," Sutter said Wednesday. "He's got trainers' clearance. Coaches want him to clear himself.

"So do it."

Well, didn't expect this, at all.

Well shoot, it's Willies body, not Sutters. If Willie feels like he's not ready to go then, I'd think his decision should be respected.

Not good.

Sutter is doing his job, I have no problem with him saying that. He can't be a pushover.

Originally Posted by Vargsmal

Sutter is doing his job, I have no problem with him saying that. He can't be a pushover.

Oh, I have no problem with Sutter. I think extreeely high of him. But, to put someone out on the ice who isn't sure of himself, I'd think would be more of a problem than having him sit it out another game.
To me, that's kinda like Isles trying to force the cooky man to play for them when he doesn't want to. If a players heart isn't into the game, he's useless.
(see Penner)

Originally Posted by taz42

Oh, I have no problem with Sutter. I think extreeely high of him. But, to put someone out on the ice who isn't sure of himself, I'd think would be more of a problem than having him sit it out another game.
To me, that's kinda like Isles trying to force the cooky man to play for them when he doesn't want to. If a players heart isn't into the game, he's useless.
(see Penner)

I agree, but I also think Sutter was just making a point. If you are ready, then play. He's doing his best to make the guys realize the celebration is over and yeah they've said it with words but their actions seem to be different so early on.

Mitchell already basically said he's physically just not in condition to play a game without being a liability. If Sutter disagree's with that then fine, from his standpoint as soon as the docs say he's ready to go he would expect Mitchell to be close to conditioned correctly.

“I had another good day. It’s starting to feel more comfortable. It’s been pretty good so far. It swells up a little bit and goes back down, so i think that’s how it’s going to be probably the rest of the year…I’m just trying to get my conditioning to be honest with you. I just want to get out there and not be a liability to my defense partner, my teammates, the coach. When I come back I just don’t want to play a couple games and go out of the lineup. The last few days has been good, I’m getting a good idea of what it feels like and how it will respond.

From lakingsinsider

Willie Mitchell On His Status « LA Kings Insider

BTW whomever our correspondent is, seems they didn't want to be rocking any boats considering their report had it as

Sutter also discussed Matt Greene and Willie Mitchell. He said how they’re both “locker room” guys and how their leadership is missed. And now it’s up to the young guys on the back-end.

Originally Posted by Vargsmal

Sutter is doing his job, I have no problem with him saying that. He can't be a pushover.

Agreed, imagine how Herb Brooks would have handled the same situation!