From NHL.com:

The Toronto Maple Leafs agreed Wednesday to a two-year entry level contract with German forward Marcel Mueller.

Mueller, 22, appeared in 53 games with the Cologne Sharks of the German Elite League (DEL) in 2009-10, registering the team-lead in game-winning goals (6), power-play goals (8), assists (32) and penalty minutes (122), while finishing second in goals (24), shorthanded goals (4) and points (56). In 198 games in the German Elite League with the Sharks and Berlin Polar Bears from 2005-06 to 2009-10, the 6-3, 220-pound winger recorded 43 goals and 61 assists for 104 points with 316 penalty minutes.

Mueller, a native of Berlin, Germany, represented his country at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver where he played four games and registered 2 assists and 12 penalty minutes. He also participated in the 2010 World Championships in Cologne, collecting 1 goal and 2 points. Over his career he has played for Germany at numerous international championships, including the World Junior Championships in 2007.

The Toronto Star's Kevin McGran reports that:

The Maple Leafs continue to comb the depths of European hockey, plucking free agent forward Marcel Mueller from the Cologne Sharks of the German Elite League.

GM Brian Burke hasn’t been shy about taking a chance on players who could be considered late bloomers, landing goalies Jonas Gustavsson last year and Jussi Rynnas this year. Now Burke sounds excited about the 22-year-old Mueller, a 6-3, 220-pound winger who signed a two-year entry level deal with the Leafs on Wednesday.

“I like his size and skill. He’s a projected top-six winger with size,” said Burke. “Remarkable ramp-up in the last 24 months.”

Burke likes his players tough and Mueller’s biggest statistic is penalty minutes – 122 in 53 games last year — but that’s not all that’s impressive about the member of Germany’s Olympic team and world championship team in 2010.

He led the Sharks in game-winning goals (six), power-play goals (eight), assists (32) and penalty minutes while finishing second in goals (24), points (56) and short-handed goals (four).

In 198 games with the Sharks and Berlin Polar Bears from 2005-10, Mueller recorded 43 goals and 61 assists with 316 penalty minutes.

“I expect he will need time with the Marlies, but that’s up to him,” Burke said.

Hockeysfuture.com says this about Mueller:

Technically still 21 until July 7th, 2010, German national team member Marcel Mueller has grown in leaps and bounds, having not only put up 26 goals and 35 assists this past season for the Cologne Sharks, but also having made a considerable impact at the recent World Championships held in Germany. There he scored a goal and two points playing on Germany’s first line, but put his body to good use in creating space for his linemates and providing a generally physical presence in all three zones. He also had two assists and 12 penalty minutes in four games at the Winter Olympics. The young man has become a classic power forward and weighs in at 6’3”, 230 pounds

This is a no-lose signing for Burke and the Leafs. Mueller according to all reports has the size and speed to play in the NHL, but that does not mean that he is an NHL player. The Leafs will give him a good look at training camp.

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