Kalman: Humbled Mueller Hoping For Fresh Start With Bruins
BOSTON (CBS) - So far Peter Mueller is talking the talk.
The 28-year-old, who was the No. 8 pick in the 2006 NHL Draft by the Phoenix Coyotes, is in Bruins training camp as a professional tryout. After three seasons overseas, he's a long shot to make the Bruins varsity roster. Mueller was branded as a guy lacking the work ethic to back up his talents before he headed overseas to continue his career. He doesn't shy away from that label and is trying to prove he's different now than he was in his early and mid-20s.
"There's certain points when you're younger and you make it when you're a young age that you kind of take it for granted," Mueller said after his first training camp practice with the Bruins at Warrior Ice Arena on Friday. "I can stand here now and tell you that it shouldn't be like that. Now I'm more hungrier than ever and humbled. That's why I really tried to commit myself during the offseason to try and get in the best shape that I can and really be humble throughout the process because I've been through some situations that probably aren't the prettiest and glamourous. I've honestly been down and out for quite some time and it taught me a lot of way to be humble and take every day by a step and really worship the things that you've got."
Mueller must have said the word humble 20 times while discussing the ups and downs of his career. He burst on the scene with 22 goals in 81 games for the Coyotes as a rookie in 2007-08. He didn't score more than 13 in any season in the NHL after that. He was traded from Phoenix and then while playing for the Colorado Avalanche he was blasted by San Jose Sharks defenseman Rob Blake in April 2010. The resulting concussion and another hard hit during a preseason game cost Mueller 132 of a possible 164 games, including the entire 2010-11 season, because of post-concussion syndrome.
With Florida in 2013, he had eight goals and 17 points in 43 games and eventually had to head to Switzerland to find work.
Over the past couple days, Bruins general manager Don Sweeney, coach Claude Julien and assistant coach Joe Sacco, who was Mueller's coach in Colorado, complimented the wing's offensive skill, ability to protect the puck and score on the rush. Unfortunately for Mueller, offensive skill alone isn't going to earn a player a spot. He's going to have to improve his defensive game and show an ability to take the body within reason. Although Mueller skated with center Ryan Spooner and left wing Matt Beleskey on Friday, there might not always be skilled linemates available if the Bruins get the type of production they expect from most of their players.
He intends to make it difficult for the Bruins to cut him or play him down in their lineup and he's already grateful for the opportunity he's been given.
"I've been through some situations where I haven't had the capability of playing with these types of players in a long time. To have skilled players and the work ethic alongside you, it's a huge plus," said Mueller, who had 47 goals in 126 games in Switzerland and Sweden the past three seasons. "I'm deeply honored and humbled to be in the position I'm in. Just going out there and practicing today, it was a lot of fun. I can't remember training camp being as much fun as this has been for me right now just because in some ways I'm trying to feel like I'm an 18-year-old and take it all in."
Glen Metropolit and Simon Gagne proved the Bruins will give a player on a tryout a real chance if they buy in and fit their game to the system. Ville Leino and Chris Clark weren't able to do the same. Mueller said he's willing to even accept an AHL assignment if the Bruins want to keep him around. He could go down to Providence and be a big point-getter and mentor for the younger Bruins prospects. After all, who would be better to teach prospects about not taking anything in their career for granted than a No. 8 pick who has barely been a blip on the NHL radar for most of the decade since he was drafted?
He could even turn out to be worthy of a bottom-six job with the varsity and could make his mark on the power play. That's probably asking too much at this point but he could give Sweeney roster versatility in the months ahead.
The words sounds great coming out of Mueller's mouth. Reputations, though, are usually well-earned and the only way he'll be able to prove that his no longer applies is by working hard enough that his skills can shine and the Bruins can trust him to be a solid player and influence.
Matt Kalman covers the Bruins for CBSBoston.com and also contributes to NHL.com and several other media outlets. Follow him on Twitter @TheBruinsBlog.
