The St. Louis Blues announced today that they have signed foward, Peter Mueller, to a one year, two-way contract. Mueller will make $700,000 in the NHL, while making $250,000 in the American Hockey League.
Mueller, 26, is attempting a NHL comeback, after spending with the Kloten Flyers of the Swiss League. In 49 games with Kloten, Mueller registered 24 goals and 22 assists.
Mueller is a former 8th overall draft pick by the Phoenix Coyotes, and was a highly skilled offensive forward. He career was derailed after a slew of concussions that through him off his game. Mueller has played in 297 NHL games, registering 63 goals and 97 assists. His 160 points puts him at a 0.54 point per game mark. Mueller's best season was his rookie year, in which he played in 81 games for the Coyotes, scoring 22 goals, and 32 assists.
The addition of Mueller bolsters the Blues forward depth for this up coming season. With 15 forwards who will look to make the opening night roster, and there is going to be a lot of competition come training camp.
Berglund and Lehtera are also likely to keep their jobs, regardless of performance in training camp and more than likely due to their contracts. However, Paajarvi, Porter, Jaskin, Lindstrom and Mueller all have spots they want to take for themselves.
Regarding line combo's for next season, here is my take;
Magnus Paajarvi and Peter Mueller being the extra forwards. This of course would send Dmitrij Jaskin back to the American Hockey League, and would very likely cost the Blues forward Chris Porter, who would have to be sent through waivers in order to be assigned to the Chicago Wolves of the AHL.
Now I could be completely off and we could see guys like Paajarvi and Lindstrom and Mueller waived in order to be sent to the AHL, but that will not be clear until training camp comes, which we can all agree, is too far away.
Visit back on Thursday as I break down my top five, "can't miss" games of the 2014-15 season.