It's been a long road for Avalanche forward Peter Mueller. After becoming a force in just 15 games with the Avalanche last season, there were high hopes that Mueller had finally found a place that could exhibit his talent. He worked hard all offseason building chemistry with linemates Matt Duchene and Milan Hejduk, and expectations were high for the trio. Then, at the end of a meaningless preseason game, Mueller suffered a concussion, his second in six months.
The Colorado front office has never given him a timetable to return (though internally Christmas was seen as a realistic date), but now it appears to be a much more distant return for the 22 year old forward. Adrian Dater of the Denver Post provides the first news on Mueller in over a month, and the report is very grim indeed.
The left winger still has not resumed skating. In fact, Mueller is now seeking out other medical options to find the root cause of the post-concussion symptoms that just won’t go away.
With one of the most explosive offensives in the league, the Avalanche aren't in desperate need of his services (yet), so the timetable to recovery isn't a crucial factor in the team's short term plans. But the lack of progress is a troubling sign for Mueller's young career. If these problems persist, and recurring concussions have officially become a valid concern, it could jeopardize his future as an NHL player. Peter Mueller may have to make the choice between his career and his health.