Reading the Tea Leafs: John Mitchell

Following on the success of two other dormant series Chemmy and I have decided that in order to fill the gap in NHL news that we'll take a look at each of the current Leafs, possible Leafs on the Marlies, janitors, marketing interns and prospects. We'll recap their performance last year, what we can expect from them,  and how they can win our hearts (hint: signing the contract was a good first step...unless your name is Bryan McCabe Ian White). We have no idea how long of a series this will end up being or how consistent it will be but with two of us expect it to only be half as half-assed and twice as timely.

The only John Mitchell video on the whole internet.

Contract Status (according to NHL Numbers)
$487K, $487K cap hit, RFA July 1, 2010.

Age (as of October 1, 2008)
23 - January 22nd, 1985

NHL Seasons
None. Not even a game as a call-up

Run of the Mill Biographical Information (click on John Mitchell because the Marlies' website is crap)

Former Leaf he'd have to play like in order to be christened a deity
Let's make the team first big guy.

Biggest Question Marks
Who is John Mitchell? Seriously, I thought he was Dale for the longest time.

Player Summary
Mitchell is part of that God awful 2003 draft that has brough the Leafs 20 NHL games from that year's crop. He has had a bad knee injury and suffered under Paul Maurice's inexplicable forward deployment but he managed to put up career bests last year in goals, assists, and points. He also potted eight goals during the Marlies' playoff run.

Projected 2008-2009 role/team
To be honest, I wasn't kidding about the big question mark. I have no idea if Mitchell has the goods to make it in the NHL but here's Hockey's Future's assessment of Mitchell:

If Mitchell develops like he should, he will provide the Leafs with some nice size down the middle in a few years. Won't be a top scorer in the pros, but will give a team honest, reliable minutes. He has the potential to be a valuable third line player in the pros if he continues to develop.

So basically, if I understand that correctly, he's a younger version of Dominic Moore who is a younger version of Boyd Devereaux. Chemmy cannot contain his excitement. So far he's been practising with Boyd and Mark "The Swede Stunner" Bell and has been a part of the Blue group which Marc Moro and Andi Petrillo (who looks in mid-season form with return to dark hair) assure me means that he is in the "NHL" group.

Where Mitchell ends up depends on his performance in the pre-season but it looks like he has as good a shot as anyone. At least he works hard which is more than can be said for the Stay Puff Centre.