Willie Mitchell (illness) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Mitchell (illness) was activated from injured reserve Saturday.

Analysis:

After a 16-game absence, the bulk of which was due to an upper-body injury, Mitchell is expected to make his return to the lineup Saturday against the Islanders. Prior to missing time, Mitchell was gobbling up 22:12 of ice time per game while manning a top-four spot on defense for the Panthers. A similar role likely awaits for Mitchell again, but his limitations as a puck mover likely won't yield much fantasy value. He has only two goals and five points over 49 games this season.