SUNRISE, FLA. - Willie Mitchell has been shut down for the foreseeable future by the Florida Panthers, a move that could give their captain an extended rest to recover from some nagging injuries.
Mitchell was placed on injured reserve Friday. He’ll miss Florida’s games Friday against Stanley Cup champion Chicago and Saturday against Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay.
After that, Florida’s last game before the All-Star break is Tuesday against Toronto. The Panthers’ first game back from the break is Feb. 2, so Mitchell could conceivably get two full weeks off for rest and miss only three games.