Kings defenseman Willie Mitchell misses practice again

Defenseman Willie Mitchell skated before Saturday’s game against Phoenix, but didn’t take the ice Sunday or Monday. Sutter wouldn’t say if Mitchell suffered another setback in his comeback from surgery early last month to mend torn meniscus in his right knee.

The Kings have been shorthanded on the blue line, with Mitchell sidelined for the lockout-shortened training camp and the first five games of the season and Matt Greene expected to be out for two months or more after undergoing back surgery last week.

“If he’s on injured reserve … then he’s a non-active player and once he’s off that then you talk about him,” Sutter said when asked for an update on Mitchell’s status. “Until then, they’re injured. I’m not a doctor. I’m not a psychologist. I’m not a therapist. I’m their coach. So, I’m not giving you any more than that.”

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