The New Jersey Devils are going to carry eight capable NHL defenseman this upcoming season, and that might be a good thing despite the price.
The New Jersey Devils have signed defenseman Mirco Mueller to a one-year contract extension worth $1.4 million. Mueller will be one of eight defensemen on this team barring any trades or injuries, and that is a good thing. Depth on the blue line is key in the NHL, and the Devils might have it’s best version of it in years.
Mueller had just one goal and ten assists for 17 points in 53 games last year. He only had 17 penalty minutes, which is impressive for a defensive defenseman. His season was cut short to 53 games and he did have that one scary play when he collided head first into the boards and was taken away on a stretcher. Hopefully, Mueller can stay healthy this season.
He might not play in every game because as mentioned before, they are going to carry eight guys to play the bottom two spots. P.K. Subban, Andy Greene, Sami Vatanen, and Damon Severson are locks when their healthy while Will Butcher is almost a lock. Then there is rookie Ty Smith, Connor Carrick, and of course Mueller to play for that final spot. It is good to have internal competition and depth at the position because it is an important position and injuries happen.
He is clearly not going to give you much offensive production, but he is fairly successful at keeping other teams from having lots of shots and good scoring chances when he is on the ice. He is the type of guy you like to have around if you are having trouble keeping the puck out of your own net. He certainly isn’t going to move the needle for the Devils as far as making them a playoff team, but for a mere 1.4 million against the cap, he is worth keeping around to be a part of a good eight-man unit.
Fans should be happy to have Mueller because he is a guy that can help you in the ways that don’t go as appreciated as much as some other things. He is a decent player and worthy of another shot on this team in a depth role.