Yay! New prospect signing! By the way, you’ll see his name spelled both as Mueller and Muller – both work, Mueller is Muller without the accents on the u.

The 5 W’s

Who is he?

In pretty much breaking news, the Toronto Maple Leafs have added another highly touted European prospect to their pool of players in Marcel Mueller. How touted are we talking here? He was the most touted of the years class of young European free agents, equivalent to Fabien Brunnstrom of 2008, or our very own Jonas Gustavsson of 2009. With that said, he’s ours, and we need some background info on him. Mueller is rather young, just turning 22 days ago, so there’s plenty of time for him to develop as a very solid player. Born in Berlin, he’s also rather big for his age, coming in at 6’4, 220 lbs.  A left winger with a similarly handed shot, Mueller just finished his 5th and by far best year in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga (DEL).

What did his stats look like this year?

For DEL standards, at his age? Really, really good. In 53 games, he had 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points, good for 2nd on the team (first was 57), and first on the team with 122 penalty minutes. To make this even better, compare him to the rest of the league – 11th in goals, 20th in assists, 13th in points, and 6th in penalty minutes. All as a 21 year old in a mens league!

When/how did the Leafs acquire him?

Obvious, today by signing him to an Entry Level Deal for 2 seasons. Nobody is quite sure on the cap numbers just yet.

Where has he played?

His entire career to date has been in the DEL. His first two years were spent with Berlin Polar Bears, the last 3 with his current Cologne Sharks. To add to this, comes international experience, including one U-17 appearance, one U-18 appearance, two U-20 (World Juniors) appearances, and this year, both an Olympic Games and World Hockey Championship appearance. Truly, he’s one of Germany’s best at the moment.

Why was he acquired?

Well, Burke has been adament about getting players with a combination of size and skill, and a drive to win and not back down. In Marcel Mueller you get all of these things. Size? He’s 6’4. Skill? He’s got speed, he’s got hands, he’s got a shot. Drive? He’s obviously not shy with a penalty minute count like that. In essence, you have what Burke sees in a player, and has been thought to have seen for a very long time – the Anaheim Ducks and Cologne Sharks had a partnership created while Burke was still GM there.

On top of this, he’s a Left Winger, which is by FAR the Leafs weakest position right now (Luca Caputi is the only natural left winger on the team), meaning he may even be brought in at this time for the present, along with the known future.

What’s been Said…

EliteProspects.net

A large and strong winger who is also a good skater. Controls the puck well and has a good technique. Has a good shot and is a reliable goal scorer. Plays aggressively.

HockeysFuture.com

Technically still 21 until July 7th, 2010, German national team member Marcel Muller has grown in leaps and bounds, having not only put up 26 goals and 35 assists this past season for the Cologne Sharks, but also having made a considerable impact at the recent World Championships held in Germany. There he scored a goal and two points playing on Germany’s first line, but put his body to good use in creating space for his linemates and providing a generally physical presence in all three zones. He also had two assists and 12 penalty minutes in four games at the Winter Olympics. The young man has become a classic power forward and weighs in at 6’3”, 230 pounds.

In The System

Whats his role expected to be next year?

Normally, I would to my typical “probably on the Marlies” talk at this point. However, he does play in a position of weakness. In short, I have no clue. He could fit anywhere between the Leafs first line and the Marlies 1st line, merely on the shallowness of the position at the moment. Training camp will be the biggest indicator of it.

Where is he ranked in the Leafs depth chart for his position?

As a prospect? 2nd behind Luca Caputi, for now (its debatable until camp). As a roster player? Probably about the same. Look it up yourself, every Left Winger on our roster is a right winger playing off wing.

The Big Question

What does the future hold for him? Does he have a shot at being a contributing full time Leaf?

Blah blah

Anything Else?

The signing was made possible thanks to a new agreement between the NHL and the DEL regarding player transfers. Hooray for clean negotiations! Now, can we get one of those things going with Russia?

See Him In Action

An Assist!

I could’ve sworn there was an awesome tribute video for him on youtube, but I can’t find him. So here’s an assist from the World Hockey Championship.