I am liking what I see from Mueller early on. Him, Duchene, and now Hejduk have been great together. I am really looking forward to seeing what he can do with those two going down the stretch. As others before me have said, his shoot-first mentality is refreshing and the fact that he brings that mentality to the powerplay is even better.
When it comes to an extension, I'm thinking it's going to be a short term (1 or 2 year) deal. It would be best, for both sides, to evaluate his value on the Avalanche with a sample size of more than 20 games. A full season under Joe Sacco and in our system will help management better understand what he's worth, should we want to sign him to a longer deal down the road.
After watching some of the goals Mueller has scored I am really stoaked. He can stickhandle in traffic and score dirty goals (at really impossible angles too). The talent is there. It doesn't guarantee anything but is exciting nonetheless.
I just hope he brings the same offseason work ethic that a guy like Wolski had, in spending the summer training and getting stronger.
After watching some of the goals Mueller has scored I am really stoaked. He can stickhandle in traffic and score dirty goals (at really impossible angles too). The talent is there. It doesn't guarantee anything but is exciting nonetheless.
I just hope he brings the same offseason work ethic that a guy like Wolski had, in spending the summer training and getting stronger.
Playing on a line with Duchene he will definetly need to have a strong summer workout routine because im expecting Duchene to be in even better condition and have more strength next season Moses is gonna need to keep up with Dutch
After watching some of the goals Mueller has scored I am really stoaked. He can stickhandle in traffic and score dirty goals (at really impossible angles too). The talent is there. It doesn't guarantee anything but is exciting nonetheless.
I just hope he brings the same offseason work ethic that a guy like Wolski had, in spending the summer training and getting stronger.
One thing I will say about all of this is that Mueller must have been frustrated in the best of times in Phoenix. Look at the type of players he had to work with and think about how bad the fit is. Now think about plugging in with Duchene (or to a lesser extent Staz) who is young, dynamic, and exciting. I could see that being a revelation to a kid who is pure talent and no sandpaper. Personally I am OK if he has zero sandpaper if the offensive skills pan out. He will not be the first guy in the league who doesn't throw checks and shies away from boardwork. Of course this means you better find a new way to use your offense come playoff time when the battles get tougher but a good wing who innately slips in and out of open ice can be very successful if he has a center and opposing wing who do the dirty work. I just can't see any of this flying with the type of players and coaching Phoenix has. That isn't a slam on Phoenix, they have a physical, defensive club built around excellent goaltending and forwards with sandpaper. That can really work as we have seen before. I do wonder how WW will work out in that case but maybe next year some of the young Phoenix stars will come up and begin to change the face of the team into something a little more dynamic?
I replied in their Mueller thread that Mueller is not expected to put up points. And I don't think we do, not as much as Stastny, Duchene, Hejduk are. Mueller is not expected to have high points, or a gamebreaker like a first liners.
I guess our expectations is a bit different. We never draft him 8th overall pick and waited 2 years for him to get his act together etc.
Oh well.
Here is what Mueller said after Saturday's game:
Quote:
"You look at the fans, and if you can't get pumped up to play in front of these people, you might not have a pulse."
Well we're harsh on Svatos, and their career paths have looked similar statistically. We were really harsh on Wolski too and he wasn't even that bad this year. Like you say, we just have different expectations for these players at this point in time.
Well............ we'll see about the attendance, Muels.
Agreed. I wonder how the rooks have felt about playing such a fun brand of hockey in front of a half empty building most nights, or if Hejduk has bittersweet memories of the crowds of yesteryear. Anderson is always quick to salute the crowds. Anyways, I'm sure the boys will be pumped if Denver does its best to fill the Can from here on out.
Agreed. I wonder how the rooks have felt about playing such a fun brand of hockey in front of a half empty building most nights, or if Hejduk has bittersweet memories of the crowds of yesteryear. Anderson is always quick to salute the crowds. Anyways, I'm sure the boys will be pumped if Denver does its best to fill the Can from here on out.
Well, 2 sellouts in a row. Lets hope the fans show up for the stretch drive. Would definitely give the team a boost I think.
I figure 1.5m - 2m is a good guess, over 2-3 years.
I doubt he'll want to sign a three year deal right now. My guess is both sides will settle on a one year deal around $1.5 M. The team may want a two year deal, but I'm guessing they won't fight too much if Mueller's agent asks for a one year deal so the kid can prove himself.
I definitely see Mueller on a 1 year deal. Best case scenario for both teams, in my opinion. Whether it's fair or not, his reputation would justify us using a full year on top of this season's games to get a better picture.
I definitely see Mueller on a 1 year deal. Best case scenario for both teams, in my opinion. Whether it's fair or not, his reputation would justify us using a full year on top of this season's games to get a better picture.
Is he a UFA after next year? I think we at least gotta keep him around 2-3 years
Is he a UFA after next year? I think we at least gotta keep him around 2-3 years
No, he's well away from unrestricted free agency. You either need to have played 7 years as a professional OR be 27 years old. Mueller is 21 in his 3rd professional season. He has 4 more years of RFA status after this season.
after last night's game I hope to god they demote Stastny for a while.
I'd love this line.
Mueller-Duchene-Stewart
Can't break up the Gally-Stastny-Stewart line, it has been good for a while, and only had a really bad night last night. The line you proposed, while good offensively, is probably going to let in a lot of goals. Our top 6 hasn't been our problem, its our defense. Since its hard to fix that, we better make sure all of our forward lines are capable defensively. Hejduk is the perfect complement for Mueller and Duchene right now, while Gally and Stastny helps Stewart's defensive lapses.
