Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Mirco Mueller

If I wrote a book on Muellers it would be called the Tale of Two Mircos.

Sometimes games he looks like a legit quality defender and some games he looks like he just thinks the game at too slow a place.

This is based on the eye test only but frankly I don't really listen to any of the advanced stats on Mueller. A season or two ago the argument was his underlying numbers were very good. Now it's they aren't good. His play is pretty much been the same level of general disappointment but somewhat serviceable for years.

Mirco's situation going forward is a tough call. If we are comparing him to Carrick, Claesson, Tennyson and Mertins then Muller doesn't look so bad. IF we looking at him as part of the solution to a defensive train wreck of a team then we all know by now he's not the answer.

That said, I think the first order of business in rebuilding the defense is to get a new coach and a new system in place. Everyone struggles here and it can't just be a coincidence. I could be wrong but I thought Andy Greene was doing really well in the few games he got to play for the Islanders and here everyone was going batpoop about him being done.

That said, I think the first order of business in rebuilding the defense is to get a new coach and a new system in place. Everyone struggles here and it can't just be a coincidence. I could be wrong but I thought Andy Greene was doing really well in the few games he got to play for the Islanders and here everyone was going batpoop about him being done.

To that point, and just because there is nothing else to talk about with Mirco, when is NJ going to settle their management issues? The sooner they get that resolved the more time before the draft and free agency can be utilized. I read where NJ met Mike Gillis twice before the NHL went on hiatus, but also read it might not be for GM but for President of Hockey Operations. That would seem like a good move, and keep Fitz as GM. Then line up a coach. It just seems that the tire fire in management/decisions over the past six months is being compounded by this decision paralysis.

To that point, and just because there is nothing else to talk about with Mirco, when is NJ going to settle their management issues? The sooner they get that resolved the more time before the draft and free agency can be utilized. I read where NJ met Mike Gillis twice before the NHL went on hiatus, but also read it might not be for GM but for President of Hockey Operations. That would seem like a good move, and keep Fitz as GM. Then line up a coach. It just seems that the tire fire in management/decisions over the past six months is being compounded by this decision paralysis.
- redmonsters

It's kind of interesting that ownership says they want to win sooner and then seem to do absolutely nothing to improve the organization....

It's kind of interesting that ownership says they want to win sooner and then seem to do absolutely nothing to improve the organization....
- Queenie_5_hole

I hear that sentiment and curse it at times, but i also believe that we could offer millions more to some free agents and they will still not come here. Similar to Panarin getting a bigger offer from Islanders and he signed for less with rags (same city esentially). For the most part, european and Canadian players (yes I am generalizing) will always pick the "sexier" franchise in NY, Toronto, Chi., alternatively they will stay away from rebuilding teams.

I hear that sentiment and curse it at times, but i also believe that we could offer millions more to some free agents and they will still not come here. Similar to Panarin getting a bigger offer from Islanders and he signed for less with rags (same city esentially). For the most part, european and Canadian players (yes I am generalizing) will always pick the "sexier" franchise in NY, Toronto, Chi., alternatively they will stay away from rebuilding teams.
- redmonsters

That certainly the case for some players and I’d think the top UFAs can pick their spots but there are also good players who have less options. We have plenty of opportunities to spend money. We just act like a small market team with an ownership imposed small cap.

That certainly the case for some players and I’d think the top UFAs can pick their spots but there are also good players who have less options. We have plenty of opportunities to spend money. We just act like a small market team with an ownership imposed small cap.
- Queenie_5_hole

I keep hearing people say this but what UFAs did we "miss" out on?

I keep hearing people say this but what UFAs did we "miss" out on?
- rmdevil313

all of them. Seriously though, free agency has not ever been kind to the Devils. When your big haul in recent years is an over the hill Simmonds, Ryder and Cammalleri, its not good. Trades and drafting are what built this team in the past and i see it as the way forward. Panarin would have been nice last year, but we never had a chance. Hall is the jewel next year (note it would not be a good idea to go after him) and we have no chance. Pietrangelo or Krug will not sign here. Then there is the lesser tier, which we may have a shot but only at overpaying at at term.

Note, Covid might change everything.

Be well everyone!

I keep hearing people say this but what UFAs did we "miss" out on?
- rmdevil313

First, Kevin Shattenkirk off the top of my head. Jimmy Vesey. Taylor Hall in the future.

Second, I meant the dynamic for some teams to be less desirable location for free agents. Such as Tavares leaving the Island and Panarin passing on more money from them. It does happens.

Todd Cordell: New Jersey Devils player profile: Mirco Mueller
- Todd.Cordell

Give the guy a max contract

My feeling is that the Devils will not be able to sign a top tier defensive free agent. So, if the Devils are not able to sign Gusev to an extension this off-season, would you consider trading him for defensive help? Supposedly Dumba on the Wild, Rasmus Ristolainen or Brandon Montour on Buffalo are available for a scoring forward (I am sure there are others).
Please don't get me wrong, I love Gusev, but if he does not want to sign then the Devils should optimize that situation and build for the future because one more year only of Gusev is worthless. And the trade deadline deals for expiring contracts has been deteriorating over the past few years.
And yes I am dying to talk any hockey so just making it up as I go along.