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New Jersey Devils GM Ray Shero checked another item off his to-do list on Monday afternoon, signing defenseman Mirco Mueller to a one-year contract extension worth $1.4 million.
Mueller recorded just one goal and 11 points in 53 games with the Devils last season. His rate stats (5v5) didn't paint any brighter of a picture. Mueller averaged just .64 points, .99 scoring chances, and 2.77 shots on goal per 60 minutes played.
Taking it yet another step, Mueller recorded a shot contribution (attempt or primary assist) on just 15.95% of New Jersey's on-ice attempts during the 15 games tracked. No other Devils defender picked up a contribution on fewer than 20% of the attempts, with Andy Greene (25.23%) being the next worst defender who actually played on a regular basis.
If there was any hope the 24-year-old had some untapped offensive potential inside, I think that's gone now.
While Mueller is clearly very limited with the puck, he is solid without it. Mueller was on the ice for only 55.59 shot attempts and 2.17 expected goals against per 60 minutes of 5v5 play. Both totals ranked him 2nd among Devils defenders, with Will Butcher being the lone guy ahead. The difference is Mueller started 34.26% of his shifts in the offensive zone compared to 53.09% for Butcher.
I don't think it's a stretch to say Mueller is one of the best pure defenders the team has. With several more offensively inclined players like Butcher, Damon Severson and Ty Smith expected to play on a nightly basis, having someone like Mueller around could be beneficial.
I don't know that he'll play in a ton of games. Barring a trade, or the team running into injury problems, he probably won't.
But he's a competent defenseman you know you can dress and use for more than, say, 14 sheltered minutes without worrying about him sabotaging any chance of winning.
Unless a move is made in the coming weeks, I'd expect the Devils to carry eight defensemen this year – at least to start the season.
numbers via naturalstattrick.com and manual tracking
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