Stay or Go: John Mitchell

In recapping the Rangers offseason, the Just Blueshirts blog will one by one go over each and every one of the 2011-12 New York Rangers whose contracts will have to be renewed going into the 2012-13 season.

Today I ask "stay or go" regarding the future of forward John Mitchell.

2011-12 Regular season and playoffs statistics- 81 GP 5 goals 12 assists 17 points

Contract history- signed 1 year $650,000 FA contract in 2011

Cap hit- $650,000 (UFA) (capgeek.com)

Season Review:

Called up to the Rangers along with Carl Hagelin from the Connecticut Whale on November 24. Mitchell at first was a productive player for the Rangers with 3 points in his first 3 games. But after the Rangers realized what they had in Carl Hagelin and Hagelin was taken off Mitchell's wing full time, Mitchell's numbers began to suffer. Mitchell only had 3 points for the entire month of December and his last goal came on January 24 against Winnipeg, 52 games ago. To be fair, Mitchell did start to be noticeable in the playoffs especially in the series against the Capitals. Tortorella made Mitchell his go to guy in the faceoff circle, a move that paid off in Game 5 against the Caps, winning the faceoff and earning the primary assist on Marc Staal's goal in OT.

Stay or Go: 

One thing that is certain is that Mitchell probably won't be with the Rangers next season. If he does re-sign he'll likely play in Connecticut. Could be used as an injury call up.