Panthers' Willie Mitchell: Will begin skating this week

Mitchell (lower body) will begin skating this week while the team is on a four-game road trip, George Richards of the Miami Herald reports.

The veteran defenseman has been out of the lineup since Jan. 22, and the Panthers will surely welcome him back with open arms. Mitchell has one goal and seven points on the year, but plays a lot of important minutes for a team that will be playing postseason hockey. When Mitchell is indeed ready to go, the team will provide further update.