Willie Mitchell Crowned: Los Angeles Kings Sign Elite Defender

The Kings have crowned Willie Mitchell.  Finally Dean Lombardi has reeled in an elite free agent.  Over the last few years it has seemed like every single free agent that the team has chased has signed somewhere else for some reason or another.  Not Willie Mitchell.  Willie Mitchell chose to sign in Los Angeles. 

Signing in Los Angeles sounded like it was an easy decision for Mitchell.  Not only will he be counted on to provide rock solid D, but he will be counted on as one of the most reliable locker room guys on the team.  What Mitchell brings to the Kings is so much more than what fans will see on the ice. 

From what has been said, the level of respect shown to Mitchell by Kings' management was second to none.  This will not go unnoticed by other top tier free agents.  Look for more big names to sign with the Kings in the future.  This is all part of the culture that Dean Lombardi has created around the Kings organization.  This was really the first example of the culture that we have seen all off season. 

Have the Kings improved with this signing?  Absolutely. 

The Kings are now only one piece short of becoming a true contender.  A lot of people thought that the top six spot would be filled by Ilya Kovalchuk this off season, but doesn't look like that is going to come true.  The Kings are incredibly close to making a big push towards Lord Stanley's cup.  Thanks to Mitchell, this team has been taken to the next level without even hitting the ice. 

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