Thought this would be a good place to track this guy's play the rest of the year.
So far I have been impressed. He has found instant chemistry with Duchene, and they looked like money with the Duke tonight. I really like his size and speed, as well as his quick release and hard shot. His play on the point on the PP has been something we have been lacking all year.
I can see that he does shy away from physical play quite a bit of the time, and that is concerning. But, for the most part he has tried to atleast throw some hits...lets just hope the play continues.
4 points in 3 games so far.
Keep putting up the points!
Last edited by Renegade Stylings: 03-07-2010 at 12:36 AM.
Lets hope nobody brings the cream this time, because Mueller is breaking out!
Seriously, I've been impressed so far. Good passer, has a good shot, he actually tries to shoot often which is nice, and he has really given our PP a different look with his RH shot on the point.
I look forward to seeing him with Dutchy and Duke for the rest of the year.
Mueller is soft and I haven't seen him really dig deep into the dirty areas like Duchene does, but he has the speed and puck handling skills to stay up with Duchene and Hejduk. Mueller also makes very quick decisions with the puck and knows where the puck needs to be for a quality scoring chance. I think it'll be a good combination to have a Mueller-Duchene-Hejduk line going forward.
I think Mueller needs to hustle backchecking a little more, though. He's usually pretty far behind the play when coming back into the zone. This can be taught, of course. But it seems that our system suits his playing style very well, and he could definitely flourish with us. We'll see how he goes the rest of the season!
I'm enjoying his high skill level, but his lack of intensity is frustrating. He almost never gets the puck out when it comes up the boards on his wing. Every defenseman who pinches in just push him out of the way, he doesn't try and get his body in front for positioning or anything. Really poor defensively and won't ever sacrifice his body for the better of the team. With that said, he's playing well overall and putting up points; precisely what is asked of him.
Dude so far seems even more averse to throwing a check than Wolski was, but I like the fact that unlike Wolski, he has a terrific shot and isn't afraid to use it.
I don't have a problem with a lack of hitting.I don't see why being...average size automatically means you have to hit people. Small guys don't hit, they play with speed and skill, if a bigger guy can do the same without hitting, then why does he have to?
Wolski's problem was he would HAVE to be a physical force for his game to work correctly, I haven't seen enough of Mueller to find out if this is the case with him as well, but if he's more suited to a game without hitting, then so be it.
I don't have a problem with a lack of hitting.I don't see why being...average size automatically means you have to hit people. Small guys don't hit, they play with speed and skill, if a bigger guy can do the same without hitting, then why does he have to?
Wolski's problem was he would HAVE to be a physical force for his game to work correctly, I haven't seen enough of Mueller to find out if this is the case with him as well, but if he's more suited to a game without hitting, then so be it.
To be fair, I don't think the issue is hitting per se, but sticking the body in and winning those 50/50 puck battles. In the playoffs, those puck battles are even more intense, so lack of intensity and will is even more evident there. Hopefully, we'll be able to see how Mueller reacts this April.
Not sure how often this has occured so far, but the time I have seen him on the point in the powerplay looks real good. Wolski had a similar role on the powerplay and it failed miserably.
He could be a little better in his own zone but in that sense he is no worse or better than Wolski was. Chemistry takes time but I definitely think he has the right line mates in Duchene and Hejduk. Their style should compliment him very nicely. I do love that he is a "shoot first" type player, not looking for the pretty play but to just get the puck on net. That has paid dividends for him in his goal against Anaheim and on that key assist to Hejduk's first goal against St. Louis.
Dude so far seems even more averse to throwing a check than Wolski was, but I like the fact that unlike Wolski, he has a terrific shot and isn't afraid to use it.
this. doesn't seem as strong on the puck, but at least he shoots and shoots well. Assuming his play style continues in this manner, he's already a better fit for the roster. I love the difference he's making on the PP too.
The major reason the Colorado Avalanche traded Wojtek Wolski for Peter Mueller is they were worried he would win a big arbitration hearing (say, $4 million a year) this summer and didn't want to pay that. On the surface, it seems a steal for the Coyotes but there are knocks on Wolski, too. He doesn't always get physically engaged. He only had four power-play goals in his last 150 games for the Avs, with lots of PP time. But Mueller is a large gamble. "He doesn't play with any passion. I don't know how much he likes hockey," said one Western scout. "He's been kind of silver-spooned," said another NHL observer.
Interesting comments and while I've enjoyed his start, it may take a full season to know what the Avs really have here.
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