As the 2010-11 season quickly approaches, a criticism of the Toronto Maple Leafs roster is that they are lacking a skilled power forward. The type that seems to be the key to winning for most teams in today's NHL.
That problem may be a thing of the past. All thanks to a summer acquisition out of Germany by the name of Marcel Mueller.
If you have not heard of Mueller by now, you will start to hear a lot about him as training camp opens on Friday. Mueller stands at 6'3", and weighs in at 220 pounds. Not only does he possess great size, he is also very skilled.
Lat season with the Cologne Sharks of the DEL, Mueller scored 24 goals while adding 32 assists for 56 points in 53 games. He was also a member of the German Olympic team at the 2010 Vancouver Games.
After being so dominant in Germany, Leafs GM Brian Burke signed Mueller to a two-year entry level deal on July 11. Mueller explained that getting to that point was a long process.
"It’s a long story," joked Mueller. "It started out in December of last year, with the first contact to my agent. Then I was playing in the Olympic tournament and the World Championship. Brian Burke flew over to Germany to talk to me and that’s how it turned out."
Leafs GM Brian Burke sees a lot of potential in Mueller, and is impressed with the many different aspects of his game.
"Marcel has big man size, little man hands," Burke explained. "He has improved greatly, and has top six size and skill."
Burke has pegged Mueller as being one of his key off-season acquisitions. Mueller states that he's very honoured, but that is not where his focus is at.
"It means a lot to me," said Mueller. "But I want to just play hockey, and I want to show my skills.
Ask Mueller about those skills that he brings to Toronto, and he knows that he brings a wide variety of possibilities to the table for the blue and white.
"I’ve got a little bit of everything," said Mueller following practice with fellow Leafs rookies in London. "I’m a power forward who can score goals, can make good plays, and can play the body."
Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins, who had a chance to watch Mueller play from behind the bench during the rookie tournament in London, believes that Mueller has a lot of strong points to his game, but that there are still areas to improve.
"This guy is so strong on his skates," Eakins stated. "He’s very hard to get the puck off of down low. I think you’ll see him play better with even better players. So when we get to the main camp and when our NHL guys are around, I think you’ll see him bring his game up."
"There are a couple of adjustments he’s going to have to make. In the German League, those forwards like to stretch it out, which is real dangerous to do in the NHL, and even in the American League. He’ll have to start bringing his game back a little bit."
Mueller will have some competition to crack the Leafs roster. However, the German forward knows what's ahead of him and has his sights set on playing in with the big club.
"My goal is the NHL of course. I think everybody in the minors wants to play in the NHL. I think it’s a good way to go through the minors, but I want to make it as soon as possible."
The spotlight gets brighter on Mueller as the Leafs open training camp on Friday. It will be here where Mueller either steps up his game and earns a spot on the Leafs, or starts the year with the Marlies.
For up-to-the-minute Leafs news and updates, be sure to follow Ken Beckett on Twitter @KenBeckett 
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