To say that Willie Mitchell has been the leader of the Canucks' defense this year is an understatement. The burly Vancouver Island native has certainly lead by example, and his stats this year put him in some pretty elite company. He is currently 2nd in +/- behind Alexander Semin, his 8 points is 3rd on the team but has him well on his way to a career best season. When you factor in how he stacks up against the other elite defensemen in the West, he certainly stands up well. He plays against the top lines, kills penalties and has done this with a rotating array of partners due to injury and illness. So I am going to put this out there. Not only should Mitchell get your write-in vote for the All Star game, but he needs some serious consideration for the Norris trophy (aka the Niklas Lidstrom award). Not to downplay Lidstrom, but I would match Mitchell against any Dman in the league right now. That includes former Kelowna Rocket Shae Weber of Nashville, any of those guys down in San Jose, even he of the massive sloping forehead; Dion Pahapheaeuneoouufff...
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