Mirco Mueller hasn’t given the New Jersey Devils much hope.
The New Jersey Devils have so many decisions to make this offseason. They’ve reportedly wanted to add multiple NHL pieces, including a top-six forward and a defenseman. They have the contracts of Mackenzie Blackwood and Jesper Bratt to worry about. There are still vacancies on Lindy Ruff‘s bench for his first season in the Garden State. Yet, one of the most intriguing decisions is what to do with Mirco Mueller.
Some who are sick of watching Mueller on the Devils just want him gone, but it’s safe to say he still has some value. The Devils have exclusive rights to negotiate with him if they extend him a qualifying offer. Which brings up the question, should the Devils extend a qualifying offer to Mueller?
Right now, it appears Mueller is heading over to his native country of Switzerland to play for HC Lugano. That could be a move to just get some playing time in until the NHL season starts, which might not be until January at this point. However, it could be a roster move. Not sure the implications if the Devils extend that offer, but it likely wouldn’t stop him from playing overseas.
Mueller was playing as well as we can remember towards the end of last season. He seemed to be a good fit for P.K. Subban, something the Devils struggled to find all season. Mueller had two goals at 5v5, a career high. However, the rest of his numbers look putrid.
He allowed two less total chances last season from the season before at 5v5. However, he played 100 less 5v5 minutes in 2019-20. His chances per minute were way up at 1.05. He was allowing a chance every shift he took at even strength. Where he saw his biggest drop off was with high danger chances. Last season, he was pretty good at suppressing high-danger chances against him, but this season the opposite happened. He allowed an HDCF% of 44.58, the worst of his career. It was the worst of any Devils defenseman (besides a very short stint from Colton White).
Would it be worth it for the Devils to send a qualifying offer to Mueller? Only if they have a deal in place for another team. Seriously, if the Devils can get an extra 6th-round pick for Mueller’s services they should take it. If not, let him go for free. The numbers show he’s not worth even keeping on the roster, even without enough bodies to play defense next season. He’ll never become what Ray Shero traded for, and it’s time to cut bait.