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Avs don't qualify Mueller, sign Wilson |
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It appears Peter Mueller's days with the Colorado Avalanche have come to an end as the Avs did not extend him a qualifying offer.
Mueller, who has battled concussions for the most of the past two years, will become an unrestricted free agent come July 1.
After receiving what would be a season-ending concussion in March 2010 from former Avs defenseman Rob Blake, Mueller has only managed to play in 32 games since then, putting up a respectable 16 points, seven of them goals.
If healthy, Mueller had 20 goal potential, especially on a line with newly-signed center Matt Duchene feeding him the puck. His slap shot from the point was hard and accurate, usually finding its way through traffic to boot.
During his 15 game stint after being acquired for frustrating forward Wojtek Wolski, Mueller amazed everyone putting up 20 points before getting injured.
The Avs could sign him after July 1 but all indications are that the Avalanche aren't willing to take the risk on Mueller's health holding up. He fought hard to recover from the concussions that have plagued him the past two years but now it appears that the Avs are moving along, whether to a free agent signing or a prospect.
Ironically, the other player acquired in that trade, Kevin Porter, was not qualified as well. Meanwhile Wolski is playing for his fourth team in two years. Hopefully Mueller is able to play in the NHL somewhere and his concussion problems are a thing of the past.
The Avs also announced that Ryan Wilson has been signed to a three year deal with a cap hit just over $2 million. Wilson, while inconsistent, has been a physical force for the Avalanche, a part of one of the best trades the Avs ever made.
In his last year as general manager, Francois Giguere traded Jordan Leopold to Calgary for Wilson, Lawrence Nycholat (who did nothing) and a second round pick. Wilson has become a mainstay on the NHL top 10 Hits of the Week reel and on the Avs' blueline while the second round pick turned out to be promising defenseman Stefan Elliott.
Wilson was a true top four defender until December when Maxim Lapierre hit him from behind and slammed his head against the glass. Wilson would miss a month due to a concussion and came back timid, ending up a sixth defensman or scratched, depending on the day.
If Wilson can find some consistency between his physical play and his positional play he makes the loss of Shane O'Brien easier. Time will only tell but the Avs are giving him three years (in theory) to prove that he can.
With Wilson on board, the Avs have a little over $34 million in cap space with six more players to sign.
Colorado Avalanche Blogger • 
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