Is Willie Mitchell the Missing Link?

Last season, one flaw that cost the Washington Capitals further success was the lack of a solid defensive core, which was missing a pure defensive minded bleliner who can throw his weight around with the best of them, as well as playing shutdown defense in his own zone.

Take a look at what happened last season in Vancouver. When Willie Mitchell went down to injury, Roberto Luongo started to fall off his game.

Appearing in only 48 games for the Canucks last season due to a concussion, Mitchell was a force on the blueline for the organization when healthy.

With a plus-13 rating in those 48 games, Mitchell also threw 32 hits and had 79 blocked shots. Not known for his offensive game, these numbers state more than just the obvious. He was a crucial member to the defensive corps for Vancouver, not just last season, but since he was signed as a free agent in 2006.

The Canucks could have kept up with the Chicago Blackhawks during the playoffs with Mitchell in the lineup -- thus changing the series.

Throughout the course of his career, Mitchell has been a plus-player who plays with an edge to his game. He appeared in his first full campaign in 2008-09; however, he had never missed more than 20 games since he became a regular NHL player (before last season).

As mentioned above, the Capitals (just like the Canucks) could have accomplished much more instead of being upset by the eighth-seeded Montreal Canadiens in round one.

The same could be said for the San Jose Sharks. They could have had a different outcome in their series with Chicago if they had a Mitchell-type on the back end. Now with Rob Blake retired and the team yet to sign a replacement, Mitchell would be a great fit with the Sharks.

Barring health issues, Mitchell will provide physicality and a great hockey IQ while patrolling the blueline for whatever team decides to bring him on board.

With a clean bill of health and a new season about to begin, will Willie Mitchell prove to be the missing link for one of these playoff underachievers (or any other prospective team) to the Stanley Cup Finals?

October is right around the corner...

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