It's been an
interesting summer for the San Jose Sharks. Interesting in that general manager Doug Wilson has made a handful of moves, none of which help the team shore up a blue line that's in need of a body or two. He shipped Brad Stuart to the Colorado Avalanche for a pair of draft picks, and decided to re-sign Scott Hannan.
That leaves the Sharks with just
five NHL defensemen signed heading into the 2014-15 season: Brent Burns, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun, Matt Irwin and Hannan. The official team website also lists Dylan DeMelo and Taylor Doherty, but it seems unlikely that either of these two would open the season in California ahead of Mirco Mueller.
He's also listed on the team's site as being a part of the roster, and while Doherty and DeMelo will probably be on their ways back to the AHL come October, Mueller has a legitimate shot at maintaining his current spot as a top-six defenseman in the NHL. Drafted with the 18th-overall pick in 2012, the Swiss defenseman has been honing his game with the Everett Silvertips over the last two seasons and made his professional debut in Worcester towards the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
Mueller only notched two assists in nine contests, but offense isn't his ticket to the NHL. At least not in the strictest sense. The 19-year-old knows how to move the puck up the ice, but he won't ever sacrifice defensive coverage in an attempt to make an offensive play. Mueller is as steady as they come and is rarely caught out of position. That hallmark was evident even as he adjusted to the AHL last season and gave Wilson enough of a reason to move out a veteran like Stuart.
The GM spoke about that trade as a way to open up a roster spot for one of the younger defenders.
As per Sacramento.CBSLocal:
That’s the phase we're in. We all talked it through on what was the best decision for all parties involved. We have a bunch of younger D (defensemen). It’s their time to play or have the opportunities.
Wilson hasn't exactly been putting his money where his mouth is this offseason—the "rebuild" chatter seems like a motivational ploy at this juncture—but he's done right by his young defenders. He didn't try to make a splash during free agency, and instead opted to leave a hole or two for an up-and-comer to fill. Knowing when to allow prospects to take on more responsibility at the NHL level is crucial to any contender, and Wilson is trying to find a spot for someone that's ready to step in and be a difference maker. That player could be Mueller.
He's been pegged as a potential defensive cornerstone defender for San Jose over the last two years, and has thrived in the WHL while playing some monstrous minutes as the team's undisputed top defender. The gap between the WHL and the NHL is wide and defensemen generally take longer to develop than forwards, but Wilson's apparent willingness to create some playing time for an inexperienced but promising defenseman is refreshing. Hannan and Irwin won't be playing every night, giving head coach Todd McLellan the ability to roll out different looks throughout the campaign.
The Sharks' defensive core is a group that's been in flux recently, and it will look quite a bit different come October. It's already been announced that Burns will be moved back to the blue line, and Braun seems poised to take on a larger role with the team. Vlasic emerged as a top-25 defenseman in the League last year, leaving a spot of for grabs in the top-four. It might be risky to let Mueller grab that brass ring, but Wilson doesn't seem to be looking for outside help. Any plugs will come from in-house, and Mueller has to have the inside track on a full-time NHL gig. He brings too much to the table and could learn a lot at a rapid pace while playing in San Jose.
Offensive expectations would need to be kept in check, and anyone trying to measure Mueller's ability to play in the NHL by his point total will be disappointed by Christmas time. That isn't what makes this kid special though. Like Ryan Murray in Columbus or Jonas Brodin in Minnesota, Mueller does much more than light the lamp. He's cool and collected on the backend and could pair up well with Irwin or even Jason Demers once he makes it through the arbitration process.
Regardless of where Mueller ends up, there is a positive worth taking away from an offseason that's been full of head scratching moves and public comments. Wilson appears to be committed to the organization's youth, and that's something that will only benefit the team moving forward.
Please feel free to discuss how you think the defense will shake out down below or to reach out to me via Twitter. (@FranklinSteele) 
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