Looks like Chris Mueller got a slightly post-dated Christmas present from the Nashville Predators. Mueller signed a two-way contract, making him an NHL option for the Predators, who are ravaged by injuries at the current moment.
This appears to be a sign-and-play immediately deal for Mueller, as the forward is expected to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night as the Predators face the Dallas Stars.
Mueller has been nothing short of awesome for Milwaukee in 2010-2011, scoring 12 goals and 20 points. This is a well-deserved promotion for the West Seneca, New York native who was NHL free agent playing on a contract with the Admirals.
Despite the injuries to the Predators you have to wonder what exactly triggered this decision? With Mueller really stepping up his game at the AHL level, interest had to be growing among other NHL clubs.
Did Nashville sign Mueller to prevent him from signing with another NHL club, wanting to keep him within the organization? Or did the Predators sign him, so they could trade him away in the near future? Or did Nashville finally realize what they had in Mueller as a player, and now the organization is ready to mold him into exactly what Barry Trotz wants?
So Roundtable, what do you think?
Admirals Roundtable 
FINALLY!!! Couldn’t be happier for him, he earned it. I think he already is the type of player Trotz wants. Don’t know if that’s a good or bad thing. With Tootoo in rehab they really are short now. Hope he gets to stay for at least a couple of cups of coffee. Stinks for us though now without our top 2 scorers.
Whether it’s Nashville or somebody else, I’m glad he’s finally there. He’s earned it more than anybody else!
Jordin Tootoo voluntarily entered the NHL/NHLPA’s Joint Substance Abuse and Behavioral Treatment Program today and is therefore out indefinitely with full pay and no penalty imposed as long as he finishes his prescribed treatment.
A very somber day for the Nashville organization, but by all means I believe Mueller has earned this contract and promotion by working his butt off the past few years, taking advantage of his opportunities, and placing himself atop the NHL recall list through his play this season.
I look forward to watching Mueller make his NHL debut tomorrow. He will start on the fourth line, but due to his skill set will likely be able to provide scoring depth once again for the Preds and create a third scoring line with Spaling and Dumont as his linemates.
I’m hoping to see the following lineup tomorrow vs. Dallas:
Wilson – O’Reilly – Hornqvist
Klasen – Goc – Kostitsyn
Smithson – Legwand – Ward
Mueller – Spaling – Dumont
Judging by the number of Milwaukee alumni in that lineup, I’d say our affiliation has worked out pretty well and credit Claude Noel, Lane Lambert, Brad Lauer, and Ian Herbers among others for getting our prospects ready!
Very happy for Mueller. I love to see a player like him given the opportunity to play. He completely deserves it. I am sure he is flying high right now. Unfortunately, I hate to see him leave the Ads. Our top two scorers and gone for right now-who steps up?
Mueller deserves it. My guess would be Nashville asked Coach Lambert who deserves a call up and he said Mueller. Hope he does well. Now it’s time for guys like Geoffrion, Thuresson, Lundmark, and Santorelli to step up and take over in Milwaukee.