Mitchell Making Most of Chance With Rangers

Bruce Berlett at CTWhale.com talks with John Mitchell who has been given a second chance by the Rangers and is rewarding them as a surprise standout in camp so far.

Mitchell, who the Rangers acquired from Toronto at last year's trade deadline, says this about leaving the Maple Leafs...

"At the end, it was tough (in Toronto) with injuries two years in a row," Mitchell said. "Things obviously didn't work out for me there. But it's a new year and new season and a new training camp, so it's an opportunity."

On his camp so far...

"I've felt pretty good in camp so far. And I felt pretty good (Wednesday night) trying to use my speed and get some bumps in and checks and try to get some pucks to the net. The first game is always a little bit sloppy, but obviously you can't use any excuses and you just got to go out there and play the game.

"Obviously it wasn't going to be a finesse game with the ice being a little wet, so at that point it's basically just try to get chips off the boards to your wingers or even to yourself with speed. Obviously if you chip it, they can't hold you up, so that gives you a chance to get around them and get the puck and take it to the net if you can. That's something that we tried to do."

Tortorella praised Mitchell's line with Avery and Miller as being the Rangers best Wednesday night against the Devils.

For my thoughts on Mitchell's chances of making the Rangers roster click the "Read More" tab below.

Mitchell trained with retired NHL veteran Gary Roberts this summer.

...as we discussed yesterday there is probably just one spot available in the top 12. And I'd be shocked if he won that spot. However, if Mitchell keeps this up he may find himself sticking with the Rangers as a 13th or 14th forward.

...what helps him is his age (26). The Rangers are way more likely to send Hagelin and Bourque down to the Whale to get playing time instead of having them sit in the press box all year long.

...it's also ironic that Mitchell played so well on a line with Avery as he is one of the players he's going to have to beat out to make the team.

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