Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils 2019-20 player profile: Mirco Mueller

Mueller is sort of a question mark, He has shown signs of playing well (before his shoulder injury) but seems very inconstant. Really hoping Ty makes it almost impossible for Hynes to play him.
Good god I'm in full blown Hockey Withdrawal!!!!

I could be wrong but it seems like we haven't gone a season without using a fairly large number of defenders. It might look like a log jam but it's just providing some decent depth. Mueller and Carrick both seem very capable so it's a good problem to have.

Also, Ray Ray is going to have to figure out what his defensive is going to look like next year. Andy Greene and Sami Vats are both UFAs at the end of the year. Greene likely won't be brought back and Vats could be traded.

I could be wrong but it seems like we haven't gone a season without using a fairly large number of defenders. It might look like a log jam but it's just providing some decent depth. Mueller and Carrick both seem very capable so it's a good problem to have.

Also, Ray Ray is going to have to figure out what his defensive is going to look like next year. Andy Greene and Sami Vats are both UFAs at the end of the year. Greene likely won't be brought back and Vats could be traded.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree. If those are your 7/8 defenders, you're in solid shape. Nice to be able to plug someone in and give them more than 11 sheltered minutes without having a heart attack.

Thanks Todd. I'm flattered by the response.

It will be interesting to see how the defense performs now that Nesreddine has a very decent group from top to bottom. I haven't been a fan, but Alain wasn't exactly in a position to succeed.

With having such a capable group of forwards I could see them using 7 D men more often and rotating the likes of Boqvist/Zacha or Wood into 3 solid forward lines and dressing both Smith and Carrick/Mueller with certain match-ups, as opposed to dressing someone like Rooney, who for the record I thought was great on the PK and 4th line center so I am not disparaging him at all. Just thinking of the flexibility that would allow Hynes to utilize a player like Smith in offensive situations.

Also, my thoughts on the upcoming season in a nutshell:

I could be wrong but it seems like we haven't gone a season without using a fairly large number of defenders. It might look like a log jam but it's just providing some decent depth. Mueller and Carrick both seem very capable so it's a good problem to have.

Also, Ray Ray is going to have to figure out what his defensive is going to look like next year. Andy Greene and Sami Vats are both UFAs at the end of the year. Greene likely won't be brought back and Vats could be traded.
- Queenie_5_hole

In my opinion, our Captain will be our 7D. No disrespect, but the game has changed and he does not fit our best lineup, especially if Vats can jump back to the LD.

Butch P.K
Vats Sev
Smith Carrick

They are mobile D, and if we find ourselves in need of a better shutdown unit, then Greene or Mueller should get the call. I would still like to see Vats traded, assuming we can get at least a 2nd, or package him for a quality top 6 forward or 1/2 LD.

In my opinion, our Captain will be our 7D. No disrespect, but the game has changed and he does not fit our best lineup, especially if Vats can jump back to the LD.

Butch P.K
Vats Sev
Smith Carrick

They are mobile D, and if we find ourselves in need of a better shutdown unit, then Greene or Mueller should get the call. I would still like to see Vats traded, assuming we can get at least a 2nd, or package him for a quality top 6 forward or 1/2 LD.
- bikeguy99

I can't see them not playing Greene regularly but in a reduced role and I doubt Butcher ends up as #1LD; especially if Vats plays LD. But if I'm guessing I think they'll start the season as:

Greene - PK
Butcher - Vats
Smith - Severson

Mueller - Carrick

Greene led the league in blocked shots, led ice time on the PK ranked 4th in the league and is the captain.

He's going to play this year. Not as a 7th dman.

I can't see them not playing Greene regularly but in a reduced role and I doubt Butcher ends up as #1LD; especially if Vats plays LD. But if I'm guessing I think they'll start the season as:

Greene - PK
Butcher - Vats
Smith - Severson

Mueller - Carrick
- Queenie_5_hole

Given last seasons performances, I respectfully disagree. I feel Greene can still lead in practice, the locker-room, and in the lineup pending any injuries. Butcher is our top LD as it stands right now, and was better than Vats last season. And Severson on the bottom pairing? He was easily our #1D last season.... I don't see how Greene could have reduced minutes if he is top pairing with P.K. Hopefully we trade Vats, and open up that bottom pairing for Greene, but with Subban and Smith entering our lineup, something has to give.

AVS sign Nikushkin for 1 year... I wanted him.

AVS sign Nikushkin for 1 year... I wanted him.
- Leniwm1

I think they had the 2nd most successful offseason.

UFA's added: Nichushkin,Donskoi, Burakovsky, Bellemare.

Trading for Kadri provided them with a quality 2C on the cheap. Plus Barrie could retrun next season!

Factor in Jost and Makar, and the fact that they may have had the best #1 line in the league, and this team became a contender while not making too much noise.

Given last seasons performances, I respectfully disagree. I feel Greene can still lead in practice, the locker-room, and in the lineup pending any injuries. Butcher is our top LD as it stands right now, and was better than Vats last season. And Severson on the bottom pairing? He was easily our #1D last season.... I don't see how Greene could have reduced minutes if he is top pairing with P.K. Hopefully we trade Vats, and open up that bottom pairing for Greene, but with Subban and Smith entering our lineup, something has to give.
- bikeguy99

I think they'll might start the season with Greene on the top pair because he's the captain and they'll want to see how he does with PK. I think they'll make changes and feel things out in the beginning of the season. I had Severson on the bottom with Smith because Severson has shown he can be either offensive minded or more defensively responsible; so they might work well together. But it's just my guess. You could be completely right.

To be honest I'm very curious to see how Nesreddine handle this because this is the best group of defenders he's had to work with but it will be a bit challenging to figure out how to deploy them.

I think they had the 2nd most successful offseason.

UFA's added: Nichushkin,Donskoi, Burakovsky, Bellemare.

Trading for Kadri provided them with a quality 2C on the cheap. Plus Barrie could retrun next season!

Factor in Jost and Makar, and the fact that they may have had the best #1 line in the league, and this team became a contender while not making too much noise.
- bikeguy99

lol they can't afford Barrie next season. Avs are going to be very very good this year. We'll see how the goaltending and defense holds up.

I think they'll might start the season with Greene on the top pair because he's the captain and they'll want to see how he does with PK. I think they'll make changes and feel things out in the beginning of the season. I had Severson on the bottom with Smith because Severson has shown he can be either offensive minded or more defensively responsible; so they might work well together. But it's just my guess. You could be completely right.

To be honest I'm very curious to see how Nesreddine handle this because this is the best group of defenders he's had to work with but it will be a bit challenging to figure out how to deploy them.
- Queenie_5_hole

I agree. This is probably how things will go. Only other option is trying Vatanen on the left side and keeping Smith on the right.

Also, my thoughts on the upcoming season in a nutshell:


- TRDevil

Number 10 pick is imminent

And the 27th overall pick will be nice after trading hall

You're probably right.

Number 10 pick is imminent

And the 27th overall pick will be nice after trading hall
- shvingter88

No way. Im calling playoffs... Im calling AT LEAST 6th seed in the East.

lol they can't afford Barrie next season. Avs are going to be very very good this year. We'll see how the goaltending and defense holds up.
- MartysBetter88

Well as it stands they will have 37M cap space next season, yes with only 12 skaters inked, but Rants should take up about 10M, and their remaining 27M could very well be enough to ink Barrie and their remaining players (non of which scream big money). So it is possible. Plus, with Makar shaping up to be a star RD, they could potentially look at moving Johnson and his 6M before trying to get Barrie back. Who knows....

I think they'll might start the season with Greene on the top pair because he's the captain and they'll want to see how he does with PK. I think they'll make changes and feel things out in the beginning of the season. I had Severson on the bottom with Smith because Severson has shown he can be either offensive minded or more defensively responsible; so they might work well together. But it's just my guess. You could be completely right.

To be honest I'm very curious to see how Nesreddine handle this because this is the best group of defenders he's had to work with but it will be a bit challenging to figure out how to deploy them.
- Queenie_5_hole

I get what you mean, but I think the novelty of the "C" is fading. Being a great leader and being a great player are two different things. I really liked what the Jets did, acquiring Matt Hendricks at the deadline strictly for his leadership in the room and at practice. They never had any intentions of dressing him, and he was an excellent veteran presence if you interview any Jet players. Greene has played his way out of the lineup in my opinion. Yes, opening night I expect him to be starting. But we know he wasn't good enough last season, and should quickly find himself without TOI. I think Vats moving to the LD is what is best for this squad, short of trading him. Zajac, P.K., Nico all are quality leaders already with this squad.

I get what you mean, but I think the novelty of the "C" is fading. Being a great leader and being a great player are two different things. I really liked what the Jets did, acquiring Matt Hendricks at the deadline strictly for his leadership in the room and at practice. They never had any intentions of dressing him, and he was an excellent veteran presence if you interview any Jet players. Greene has played his way out of the lineup in my opinion. Yes, opening night I expect him to be starting. But we know he wasn't good enough last season, and should quickly find himself without TOI. I think Vats moving to the LD is what is best for this squad, short of trading him. Zajac, P.K., Nico all are quality leaders already with this squad.
- bikeguy99

I think we have a different opinion on Andy Greene.

At 37 he can't be a #1 defender anymore and he carried that burden with the team a long time. So working him down the lineup and in a reduced amount of ice time makes sense. But I think he's still a good defender and a smart player.

You think he's pretty done and he might be. They'll figure it out on the ice.

No way. Im calling playoffs... Im calling AT LEAST 6th seed in the East.
- Leniwm1

bless you and your young, innocent, optimism.

I think we have a different opinion on Andy Greene.

At 37 he can't be a #1 defender anymore and he carried that burden with the team a long time. So working him down the lineup and in a reduced amount of ice time makes sense. But I think he's still a good defender and a smart player.

You think he's pretty done and he might be. They'll figure it out on the ice.
- Queenie_5_hole

Your correct. Greene has a great head for the game, and a reduced TOI would still keep him as a good and serviceable shutdown D. I just feel Carrick solidified his spot as #3RD the way he played. He earned it. And as a result, Smith and Vats will likely have to play LD where they have already succeeded. We are blessed with a plethora of actual NHL caliber D now, and as a result, Greene slides down in our depth charts. I don't think Smith should set foot in the AHL, as he has dominated the WHL, winning the CHL D of the year, and deserves to continue his development at the highest level. Vat's is better than Greene. It isn't even close. And Butch has been a quality and consistent LD for us as well. The good thing about having Vats and Smith, is that in the event of ANY injury to our D, left or right, they can adjust and fit Greene on our roster. It is rare that all D will be healthy, so Greene would likely play 70 games regardless. I respect our captain, but acquiring Subban, and developing Smith has finally caused the competition our lineup has needed for years.

bless you and your young, innocent, optimism.
- MartysBetter88

I think we have a shot at playoffs for sure! Columbus, Pitts, Isles all took big steps back this offseason. The rangers are slightly improved, but still far from being contenders. (hayes, shatts, zuccerello, Pionk, likely Kreider, all gone with just Trouba and Panarin added, plus and ancient goalie). The Caps are the only team that i feel is truly better than us in the Metro. We will be in the mix with the Canes, flyers, rangers, but I feel we are better then them. There are MANY unknowns with our club, but I think we will be in the mix