Franklin Steele: Mirco Mueller Likely to be Part of San Jose Sharks Opening Night Roster The San Jose Sharks only have five NHL defensemen signed for next season, leaving the door wide open for Mirco Mueller.

Agree completely! It's been quite disappointing to see the poor moves DW has made this summer, one supposedly focused on a "rebuild".

Mueller will definitely be given every opportunity to play in the NHL next year, but the question is whether he will actually be able to stand up to the physicality of the NHL. He is 6'3" and weighs in at under 200 lbs...He'll need to beef up if he wants to play defense at the NHL level. That said, if he is smart with his positioning and with his body (think Valsic when he first came into the league), then there could certainly be a spot for him.

Also, one minor correction:

Drafted with the 18th-overall pick in 2012

Mueller was drafted in 2013. Hertl was our 2012 first round pick.

I'm hoping Doherty see's some playing time next season.

No Thornton trade yet ?

No Thornton trade yet ?
- Jeropotato

No Thornton trade ever

What about a guy like Matt Tennyson. He is going to get a pretty long look this year I imagine

What about a guy like Matt Tennyson. He is going to get a pretty long look this year I imagine
- vinniethefish

The problem with Tennyson is that he's a right handed shot and we have 4 guys like that (Burns, Demers, Braun, Irwin) with only 2 left handers (Vlasic, Hannan).

One guy whose name I keep hearing is Konrad Abeltshauser. Mueller's ceiling is undeniably higher but apparently Abeltshauser will give Mueller a run for his money if Mueller is still a little too raw.

The problem with Tennyson is that he's a right handed shot and we have 4 guys like that (Burns, Demers, Braun, Irwin) with only 2 left handers (Vlasic, Hannan).

One guy whose name I keep hearing is Konrad Abeltshauser. Mueller's ceiling is undeniably higher but apparently Abeltshauser will give Mueller a run for his money if Mueller is still a little too raw.
- Sharks_12

Abeltshauser? Mueller? What are you, starting the Third Reich hockey team?

Abeltshauser? Mueller? What are you, starting the Third Reich hockey team?
- eichiefs9

Abeltshauser? Mueller? What are you, starting the Third Reich hockey team?
- eichiefs9

We should have kept Ehrhoff, Greiss and Goc

We should have kept Ehrhoff, Greiss and Goc
- FinAddict

And traded up for Draisaitl

We should have kept Ehrhoff, Greiss and Goc
- FinAddict

Sharksland Sharksland über alles!!

The problem with Tennyson is that he's a right handed shot and we have 4 guys like that (Burns, Demers, Braun, Irwin) with only 2 left handers (Vlasic, Hannan).

One guy whose name I keep hearing is Konrad Abeltshauser. Mueller's ceiling is undeniably higher but apparently Abeltshauser will give Mueller a run for his money if Mueller is still a little too raw.
- Sharks_12

Irwin is left handed.

No Thornton trade ever
- FinAddict

So is your GM full of hot air or what ? Where are these major changes ?

So is your GM full of hot air or what ? Where are these major changes ?
- Jeropotato

Jumbo has a full NMC and has no intention of moving from the bay area

Letting Boyle go and moving Burns from F to D are probably the biggest changes we'll see

So long story short, he's full of hot air

So is your GM full of hot air or what ? Where are these major changes ?
- Jeropotato

Had to say something to the owner to save his ass.

Irwin is left handed.
- Zupes

Yes he does. My mistake.

Jumbo has a full NMC and has no intention of moving from the bay area

Letting Boyle go and moving Burns from F to D are probably the biggest changes we'll see

So long story short, he's full of hot air
- FinAddict

Yeah, that's what I figured, Thornton is still a top 10 C in this league easy and Marleau is no slouch either....as for the playoff's, all I really think San Jose might need is that elusive #1 D-Man that that every SCF seems to have. Not that the Keith's, McDonugh's or Doughty's grow on trees or anything or anything. I think your goalie can be good enough (he did it before, FFS). Maybe a Claude LEmieux playoff pest/clutch scorer would be a nice add...not sure who that is tho.

Yeah, that's what I figured, Thornton is still a top 10 C in this league easy and Marleau is no slouch either....as for the playoff's, all I really think San Jose might need is that elusive #1 D-Man that that every SCF seems to have. Not that the Keith's, McDonugh's or Doughty's grow on trees or anything or anything. I think your goalie can be good enough (he did it before, FFS). Maybe a Claude LEmieux playoff pest/clutch scorer would be a nice add...not sure who that is tho.
- Jeropotato

Boyle was definitely an #1 dman before Lapierre ended his career earlier this season, and Vlasic has quietly grown into one itself (both Olympic Gold Medalists).

But when Vlasic was cheap shotted by Stoll and put on the IR, our team was left without anything close to a number 1 d man. That was one of the bigger reasons for the epic meltdown. Really we had Braun and Demers as our top guys, and as solid as they are we can probably agree that's not good enough to win. Moving Burns back to D should hopefully help give us a little more balance.

We should have kept Ehrhoff, Greiss and Goc
- FinAddict

They all signed in Pittsburgh so the German trio is reunited!

So is your GM full of hot air or what ? Where are these major changes ?
- Jeropotato

He should have known Marleau and Thornton wouldn't waive but I guess he had to do what he could to make a scapegoat out of one of them. Now he's backtracking and saying those guys weren't necessarily who he meant in his original statements.

He's still made a few notable changes, including getting rid of Boyle, Havlat and Stuart. The team did get younger and now only Thornton, Marleau, Torres, Burish, Scott, Hannan and Niemi are over 30. And on most nights one or two of Burish, Scott and Hannan will likely be sitting.

So is your GM full of hot air or what ? Where are these major changes ?
- Jeropotato

Other than the 48 game shortened season when he was ok, Niemi has been basically terrible since he signed with SJ. He is the most responsible for the Sharks losses. Especially this passed year (regular season and playoffs). Yet he is still here. SJ didn't even need 'major changes' they just needed to get rid of Niemi and sign any other NHL goalie. For years SJ has given up far less shots against and have great possession numbers. Any one who has played hockey will tell you that when your goalie gives up a soft goal when your team has had most of the possession it kills your momentum. That all Niemi has done since he has been here. Niemi has never been the reason we have won (maybe the Rangers game this year) but he has been the reason for the losses many times. We don't even need a goalie to steal us games. Just one that will keep us in the game

Other than the 48 game shortened season when he was ok, Niemi has been basically terrible since he signed with SJ. He is the most responsible for the Sharks losses. Especially this passed year (regular season and playoffs). Yet he is still here. SJ didn't even need 'major changes' they just needed to get rid of Niemi and sign any other NHL goalie. For years SJ has given up far less shots against and have great possession numbers. Any one who has played hockey will tell you that when your goalie gives up a soft goal when your team has had most of the possession it kills your momentum. That all Niemi has done since he has been here. Niemi has never been the reason we have won (maybe the Rangers game this year) but he has been the reason for the losses many times. We don't even need a goalie to steal us games. Just one that will keep us in the game
- SJFreez19

Well, whaddayagonna do?

Other than the 48 game shortened season when he was ok, Niemi has been basically terrible since he signed with SJ. He is the most responsible for the Sharks losses.
- SJFreez19

My name is Sharks_12 and I approve this post.

At the time of his 4 year extension I said it would likely be the worst contract in Sharks history. If you look at the impact he's had on this team, its certainly up there.

Other than the 48 game shortened season when he was ok, Niemi has been basically terrible since he signed with SJ. He is the most responsible for the Sharks losses. Especially this passed year (regular season and playoffs). Yet he is still here. SJ didn't even need 'major changes' they just needed to get rid of Niemi and sign any other NHL goalie. For years SJ has given up far less shots against and have great possession numbers. Any one who has played hockey will tell you that when your goalie gives up a soft goal when your team has had most of the possession it kills your momentum. That all Niemi has done since he has been here. Niemi has never been the reason we have won (maybe the Rangers game this year) but he has been the reason for the losses many times. We don't even need a goalie to steal us games. Just one that will keep us in the game
- SJFreez19

I watch most of the Sharks games. God I can't stand Niemi as well makes my want to vomit sometimes to watch him out there

Either he sucks at communication with the defense or he's a bonehead.