During last year’s NHL offseason, Florida Panthers GM Dale Tallon wasn’t afraid to roll the dice on a player with health related questions. While other teams were afraid to commit to Tomas Fleischmann after he was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism (a condition that caused him to miss 60 games while playing for the Colorado Avalanche), Tallon was quick to offer the forward a four year contract worth $18 million.
The move paid off handsomely for the Florida Panthers as Fleischmann not only led the team in scoring but was also able to play in all 82 games while posting career highs in goals (27), assists (34), and points (61). The man known as “Flash” more than lived up to his contract in his first year with the Panthers and brought fans out of their seats with some dazzling goals.
http://youtu.be/joJKleVVbAA
With the success the Panthers had with Fleischmann, it should come as no surprise that they’d be willing to gamble on another oft-injured forward with great potential.
And gamble they did as Tallon signed 24- year-old Peter Mueller to a one-year contract for $1.725 million. Although Mueller is still in the early stages of his career, he has already dealt with serious concussion problems which forced him to miss the majority of two seasons with the Avalanche.
According to Mueller though, he is ready for a fresh start in South Florida, “There are no red flags. Everything is a go. I’m coming in with a great attitude. I’m ready to rock and roll this coming season.”
There’s no doubt that Mueller, when healthy, could be just the type of player that the Panthers could use in their lineup. At 6’2″, 209 pounds, Mueller adds a size element to a group of Panthers forwards that sorely could use it. Too often last year other team’s were able to manhandle the Panthers upfront, which kept them from getting into an offensive rhythm.
Yet, Mueller simply wasn’t brought aboard by Tallon for his size alone. Before his injuries began to pile up, Mueller put together two impressive season’s with the Phoenix Coyotes, scoring 54 points in his rookie season and then following it up with a 36 point campaign. If the forward can remain healthy, he should help bolster a Panthers offense that was often relatively anemic last season.
If Tallon is to be believed, Mueller should be able to rekindle his career like Fleischmann did a year ago.
“He seems to be revitalized. He understands this is a great opportunity,” Tallon said. “He’s a top six forward with size and skill. If he plays well, he could be here for a very long time.”
The parallels between Mueller and Fleischmann are a bit uncanny. Both suffered injuries with the Avalanche and must have wondered whether they would ever play in the NHL again. Both were given a second chance by the Florida Panthers and Dale Tallon.
If Mueller has it his way, the similarities won’t end there. He’ll hope to make the Avalanche regret not re-signing him.
Just as they do with Tomas Fleischmann.
It’s a gamble because of what they expect from Mueller. If he were just expected to play on the fourth line then it wouldn’t be a gamble. However, Tallon has stated that he expects him to play on the second line, possibly with Upshall and Huberdeau. Mueller is expected to provide some serious offensive production on a Panthers team that lacked it last year.
So, for a player that hasn’t played over 32 games in his last two years it is a gamble for the Panthers. If Mueller can’t play at the level he is expected to, Tallon would likely regret not using that money to chase someone like Alex Semin or Shane Doan that will certainly provide the offensive boost.
Therefore, the gamble has nothing to do with the money amount or the years on the contract. It has to do with the production that is expected from Mueller and the role he will have with the Cats. From everything Tallon has said, it will be a big one, meaning that if he is injured for a majority of the season the Panthers will be missing a key guy.
Unfortunately, I didn’t explain myself well enough and I thank you for pointing that out. Thank you for reading and your comments.
-Charlie Crespo
How can you call it a gamble (i.e you mean “risk”) when it’s a 1 year contract at 1.75m? Either he plays and has possible upside, or his injured and it doesn’t matter economically. They do have cap-space, perhaps the teams on-ice performance will slip, thou I see that as unlikely because he wasn’t there last season so…
It’s a low risk – high reward scenario, and to push the “gamble-headline” does not make any sense, despite your reference to Fleischmann.
Just another great signing by Tallon, end of story (for now).
Dale, without a doubt in my mind, is the best GM in this league. He will squeeze every bit out of Mueller and I’m pissed the Blackhawks didn’t pursue him with their need at center.