Pucks and Pitchforks
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New Jersey Devils: 5 Players Who Could Fall out of Favor Before Season’s End

By Andy Studna

NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 08: Mirco Mueller #25 of the New Jersey Devils and the rest of the New Jersey Devils celebrate the shutout against the Los Angeles Kings at Prudential Center on February 08, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey.The New Jersey Devils defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - FEBRUARY 08: Mirco Mueller #25 of the New Jersey Devils and the rest of the New Jersey Devils celebrate the shutout against the Los Angeles Kings at Prudential Center on February 08, 2020 in Newark, New Jersey.The New Jersey Devils defeated the Los Angeles Kings 3-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Photo by Richard A. Whittaker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Mirco Mueller was acquired by the Devils via trade in July 2017. Then general manager Ray Shero sent a 2nd- and 4th-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft to the San Jose Sharks to acquire the young defenseman along with an additional 5th-round pick. At the time, Mueller was an unproven commodity. He was drafted 18th overall in 2013 and had only cracked the Sharks lineup 54 times from 2014 to 2017.

The 24 year old was always expected to be a reclamation project for the rebuilding Devils. Unfortunately, three seasons into his Devils career, it hasn’t worked out. Between injuries and inconsistency, Mueller hasn’t been able to solidify himself in the lineup. His Corsi-For percentage (CF%) has never been over 50 with the Devils. In 2019-20 he has hit a career low so far with 42.6. The Devils defense is absolutely decimated between trades and injuries, so he will most likely play out the rest of the season as a regular in the lineup while he aims to set new career highs in total time-on-ice and games played.

The Swiss-born defenseman will become a restricted free agent at season’s end. Like last summer, Mueller will have arbitration rights in 2020. The Devils avoided salary arbitration last summer by signing him to a one-year deal worth $1.4 million. Due to his status as an RFA, Mueller will be a tough case to assess for the next permanent general manager of the Devils.

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