Dan Spiegel: Mueller?... Mueller?... Mueller?

All they need is Luongo and they'll make the playoffs.

All they need is Luongo and they'll make the playoffs.
- PrinceLH

I prefer FLA to give Markstrom a shot before going for Luongo. I have read Gillis might have a deal in place, but the other team needs to do something first before trading for Luongo. It could also be complete BS and Gillis is just trying to cause media attention and a bidding war. Heard TOR will not give in to VAN's ridiculous demand in return. I would suggest FLA trade Clemmensen, Matthias, and Bergenheim for Luongo.

I prefer FLA to give Markstrom a shot before going for Luongo. I have read Gillis might have a deal in place, but the other team needs to do something first before trading for Luongo. It could also be complete BS and Gillis is just trying to cause media attention and a bidding war. Heard TOR will not give in to VAN's ridiculous demand in return. I would suggest FLA trade Clemmensen, Matthias, and Bergenheim for Luongo.
- deks1

Toronto has nobody Vancouver wants. That team stinks.

Seriously. You have nobody.

Toronto has nobody Vancouver wants. That team stinks.

Seriously. You have nobody.
- therealagent

But they hand out 1st round picks like candy.

Dan Spiegel: Mueller?... Mueller?... Mueller?
- spiegs13

Mueller looks like a great bargain signing by Tallon so far.

I'm so glad he's doing well. He's just been so hurt and just had the worst luck since he came to the Avs. I hope the best things are yet to come for him.

I prefer FLA to give Markstrom a shot before going for Luongo. I have read Gillis might have a deal in place, but the other team needs to do something first before trading for Luongo. It could also be complete BS and Gillis is just trying to cause media attention and a bidding war. Heard TOR will not give in to VAN's ridiculous demand in return. I would suggest FLA trade Clemmensen, Matthias, and Bergenheim for Luongo.
- deks1

Agreed markstrom will get his shot if theo or Clem struggle. Lu would only come in if we got him cheap so it's not going to happen because gillis has crazy demands for something we don't need.

I'm so glad he's doing well. He's just been so hurt and just had the worst luck since he came to the Avs. I hope the best things are yet to come for him.
- martok2309

He deserved a chance to prove what everyone knows he's capable of. Let's just hope he can avoid concussions.

Great comeback today. Getting some healthy bodies back has obviously helped. Looks like when they are all together they play with heart like last year. I can't wait till Gudy comes back, I don't like seeing Ellerby out there, he turns the puck over way to much. We need the toughness of Jovo and Gudy. Bergy should be back soon no? Petrovic soon? I'd love to see what he's got. Shore's the man btw, love him.

I'm so glad he's doing well. He's just been so hurt and just had the worst luck since he came to the Avs. I hope the best things are yet to come for him.
- martok2309

I am so glad he is playing so well, I have my fingers crossed that he does not get injured, if he can stay healthy Tallon will reward him with a nice fat contract to keep him playing for years alongside Huberdeau and Shore- two rookies with a lot of years ahead of them. Florida is not usually a players first choice for signing, but Mueller, like many others before him, has found a nice spot in a market without media pressure, good coaching and GM, a rising team, and most importantly- no state income tax.

Panthers just kept battling back after we would get a lead, nice game guys.

Great comeback today. Getting some healthy bodies back has obviously helped. Looks like when they are all together they play with heart like last year. I can't wait till Gudy comes back, I don't like seeing Ellerby out there, he turns the puck over way to much. We need the toughness of Jovo and Gudy. Bergy should be back soon no? Petrovic soon? I'd love to see what he's got. Shore's the man btw, love him.
- BallardHitsHard22

What would it take to get Ellerby?

What would it take to get Ellerby?
- Pat MaGroin

What's the offer? We are stacked on the blue line with Strachan, who is just a great hockey player, Gudbranson, Jovo, Robak, Petrovic, Caruso... name the price. Ellerby would do great in some new scenary.

Great game, yesterday. I would love to see Markstrom come up and be the #1 here. It's obvious that at this point in time, Luongo is not needed here. Theodore has had some solid games after having a slow start.

What would it take to get Ellerby?
- Pat MaGroin

Mid level RW or a 4th rounder. He's nothing special, he's a poor mans Eminger. No. Defensive awareness at all. Great speed, that's all he has.

Mid level RW or a 4th rounder. He's nothing special, he's a poor mans Eminger. No. Defensive awareness at all. Great speed, that's all he has.
- Gudbranson2012

Don't listen to this guy he is a troll not a real panther fan.

Mid level RW or a 4th rounder. He's nothing special, he's a poor mans Eminger. No. Defensive awareness at all. Great speed, that's all he has.
- Gudbranson2012

A "poor mans" Steve Eminger? What exactly IS Steve Eminger? Seriously, didn't you see your shadow the other day..go crawl back in your hole.

Ellerby is certainly not a waste of a roster spot, he just needs new scenery. Calling him a "poor mans Steve Eminger" is just distasteful. He has the skills and attributes he needs to play at the NHL level, but just needs help molding them all together. In the past few games, he has shown great awareness and has been very physical.

Ellerby is certainly not a waste of a roster spot, he just needs new scenery. Calling him a "poor mans Steve Eminger" is just distasteful. He has the skills and attributes he needs to play at the NHL level, but just needs help molding them all together. In the past few games, he has shown great awareness and has been very physical.
- Panthers88

Ellerby will be a good one. We all know that it takes forever to develop a good defenseman and Ellerby has just really begun and is showing some quick progress with some nice offensive rushes. Big upside potential starting to get displayed. He and Strachan play well together.

Ellerby is certainly not a waste of a roster spot, he just needs new scenery. Calling him a "poor mans Steve Eminger" is just distasteful. He has the skills and attributes he needs to play at the NHL level, but just needs help molding them all together. In the past few games, he has shown great awareness and has been very physical.
- Panthers88

EDM would love him, kid's home in in AB.

Ellerby will be a good one. We all know that it takes forever to develop a good defenseman and Ellerby has just really begun and is showing some quick progress with some nice offensive rushes. Big upside potential starting to get displayed. He and Strachan play well together.
- clarkey

I agree. Another d-man comes to mind here: Brayden Coburn. Anyone remember how awesome he was in Atlanta? No? no one? That's because he was considered a bust- a poor mans Steve Eminger. But he got a second chance and rolled with it. He's now one of the top guys in Philly. Ellerby has many of the same traits; fast, skilled, young, he can really turn into something special. The problem is, we have a log jam on the blue line that is going to unfortunately see Ellerby be the odd man out. Now, I am not sure if he has to clear waivers before being sent down to the AHL, but should that day ever come I hope he gets picked up, and I think he will. Strachan, a similar player in terms of age and skill, is just outplaying Ellerby. However, to your point, I see Ellerby turning the corner. He has been much less-sloppy with the puck, and is starting to join the rushes and shoot the puck. I would like to give him a fair shake and pair him with Campbell. Kuba is a good presence on the blue line, but I think a younger guy would serve Brian well.

i have also heard that many teams are interested in Keaton, so we need to tread carefully with him. With Petrovic, Robak, Caruso, Strachan and a ton of other prospects in the wings like Racine, Matheson, and Nielsen, Ellerby has to fit in NOW.

EDM would love him, kid's home in in AB.
- deks1

I think he would be a good fit there. Plus, Edmonton has a ton of pieces I would like here in FLA. I like Omark.

Ellerby will be a good one. We all know that it takes forever to develop a good defenseman and Ellerby has just really begun and is showing some quick progress with some nice offensive rushes. Big upside potential starting to get displayed. He and Strachan play well together.
- clarkey

I think ellerby will be a solid d-man in the near future. He just needs to play his problem last year was he played every once in awhile and then go sit in the press box he won't improve not playing. Strachan was better then him last year because he played all of last year. You can see that ellerby is getting better every game he just needs more time.

I agree. Another d-man comes to mind here: Brayden Coburn. Anyone remember how awesome he was in Atlanta? No? no one? That's because he was considered a bust- a poor mans Steve Eminger. But he got a second chance and rolled with it. He's now one of the top guys in Philly. Ellerby has many of the same traits; fast, skilled, young, he can really turn into something special. The problem is, we have a log jam on the blue line that is going to unfortunately see Ellerby be the odd man out. Now, I am not sure if he has to clear waivers before being sent down to the AHL, but should that day ever come I hope he gets picked up, and I think he will. Strachan, a similar player in terms of age and skill, is just outplaying Ellerby. However, to your point, I see Ellerby turning the corner. He has been much less-sloppy with the puck, and is starting to join the rushes and shoot the puck. I would like to give him a fair shake and pair him with Campbell. Kuba is a good presence on the blue line, but I think a younger guy would serve Brian well.

i have also heard that many teams are interested in Keaton, so we need to tread carefully with him. With Petrovic, Robak, Caruso, Strachan and a ton of other prospects in the wings like Racine, Matheson, and Nielsen, Ellerby has to fit in NOW.
- Panthers88

All true. But with at least 2 spots opening up next year (hopefully Jovo calls it quits and Kuba is a one year deal I think?) and you can see Weaver nearing the end- make that 3 spots, and the time it takes D-men to really hit their groove (thinking of Caruso, Robak and Petrovic here), Ellerby will be an important piece of the defense for the next 2 years in particular. Next year could see:
Campbell
Kulikov
Gudbranson
Ellerby
Strachan
Weaver
????
We like to carry 7 d-men, so .....

Once you look at it that way you can see how important he will be next season, as Caruso, Robak and Petrovic will have to go through the same process Guds did last season, Kuli did 2 and 3 years ago, and Ellerby is going through now. Matheson is years, and years away.

All true. But with at least 2 spots opening up next year (hopefully Jovo calls it quits and Kuba is a one year deal I think?) and you can see Weaver nearing the end- make that 3 spots, and the time it takes D-men to really hit their groove (thinking of Caruso, Robak and Petrovic here), Ellerby will be an important piece of the defense for the next 2 years in particular. Next year could see:
Campbell
Kulikov
Gudbranson
Ellerby
Strachan
Weaver
????
We like to carry 7 d-men, so .....

Once you look at it that way you can see how important he will be next season, as Caruso, Robak and Petrovic will have to go through the same process Guds did last season, Kuli did 2 and 3 years ago, and Ellerby is going through now. Matheson is years, and years away.
- clarkey

Just took a look and unfortunately (the way he is playing) we have Kuba signed for this season and next. Same is true of Weaver. Strachan will be a UFA the end of this season and Ellerby and Caruso will be RFA's. So while we are loaded with prospects at defense, we have a contractual logjam next season of guys whose effectiveness appears to be waning: Jovo, Kuba, Weaver. Weaver may get his game back this season but right now he looks slow and smaller than ever as he is getting beat out of corners all over the place, is losing battles in front of the net and is turning the puck over at a rapid clip. Could be that he is just slow to regain his game form from the lockout, or it could be that not playing during the lockout at his age has led to him "jumping the shark." Tough to say right now, but it would be hard to stomach another season from him like what he is doing so far. Contractually speaking the Defense next season looks like this:

Campbell
Kuba
Kulikov
Weaver
Jovanoski
Gudbranson

with Ellerby and Caruso as RFA's who we get first shot and matching rights to, and Strachan probably gone as a UFA. Thats a little bit yikes.