Bruins Sign Veteran Peter Mueller To Professional Tryout Contract
BOSTON (CBS) -- It's common for veteran NHL players to try out for teams during the preseason without an official contract. They do so by signing what's called a "Professional Tryout" contract, or PTO. The Boston Bruins have made one such move, signing veteran center Peter Mueller to a PTO for training camp, according to ESPN's Pierre LeBrun.
Mueller, 28, was the eighth overall pick in the 2006 NHL Draft and scored 22 goals as a 19-year-old rookie with the Phoenix Coyotes. However, concussions have been a significant issue for Mueller, who missed the entire 2010-11 season. He has not played in an NHL game since 2013.
Mueller, a native of Bloomington, Minn., played the 2013-14 season with Kloten of the National League in Switzerland before earning a tryout with the St. Louis Blues, but rejected an AHL assignment and returned to the Swiss league for another season after he could not land a roster spot in St. Louis. He played the 2015-16 season with Malmö of the Swedish Hockey League.
Mueller has played center for most of his career, so to make the Bruins roster he would likely need to move to wing. Fortunately for him, the team may have openings there as training camp goes along. But if Mueller's history is any indication, he would likely return to Europe before accepting an assignment in Providence.