New Jersey Devils

On Mueller, Hischier, and rumors of Vegas trying to move up
June 20, 2017, 12:50 PM ET [33 Comments]
Todd Cordell
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1) A few days ago I wrote a piece on the Mirco Mueller trade but I commented more on the move itself than Mueller's game and playing style.

I have since closely watched a few games Mueller dressed in for the Sharks and I have some thoughts:

His skating is really good for a 6'3' player. He's not going to win a straight line race against Dylan Larkin or Michael Grabner, but he can move.

One of Mueller's best qualities, at least in the games I watched, is his gap control and ability to defend the line. He often steps up and disrupts entries with a good stick, and if an attacking player dumps the puck in, Mueller has the skating ability to turn around and still win some of those races to the loose pucks. He also uses his size effectively to shield the puck and get inside position in battles.

A couple nitpicks I have in Mueller's game come with the puck on his stick. At times he lacks confidence and assertiveness with it.

On several occasions, he'd have some open space to move up ice or make a play and would instead slide it over to his defense partner, who in some cases was under pressure or in a worse position to make something happen, rather than take it and go himself. He also bobbled a few pucks, which led to some panic moments when pressured.

I think he has the skating ability and enough skill to make some good plays with the puck so perhaps he'll do more if/when he gains more confidence and really establishes himself as an NHL player, rather than worrying he'll lose his spot and/or be in the minors every time he makes a mistake.

I still don't love the trade -- I think a 2nd and a 4th could have gotten a more established defenseman -- but I see the logic behind it and am willing to give Mueller a chance.

2) Sportsnet's Jeff Marek and TSN's Craig Button put out mock drafts over the last couple days and both had Nico Hischier going to the Devils. I've talked to a handful of people -- including some close to the Devils -- and they also expect Shero to go that route. Fingers crossed.

3) Over the last week or so I've heard a lot of talk about Vegas trying to move up. They have the 6th pick in the draft and really seem to have their sights set on Nolan Patrick (assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon is as familiar with Patrick as anyone from his time in Brandon). I don't know that anything will come of it -- if a top-2 pick is traded, I think it's more likely Philly is the team to trade down -- but Vegas will have the ammunition to pull off such a move. They will surely land some promising prospects for staying away from certain players in expansion and the belief is they could own four, five, six(!) 1st round picks in this year's entry draft. If not anything else, they have the assets to at least get the attention of Shero/Ron Hextall if they really want to. Just something to watch out for in the coming days.