Peter Mueller

The NHL is one of the most physical, fast paced sports out there. The physicality, among just about every other thing about hockey, is why we love the game. 

While the nature of the game does create entertainment, it also results in numerous injuries; an issue that has really taken light this season.  

But why is this the season that it's getting attention? Injuries happen every year. 

The Colorado Avalanche are eager to get started with the 2011-2012 NHL season to quickly prove to the rest of the NHL that last season is a distant memory and that this franchise is ready to compete again.

One player who could go a long way towards helping the Avalanche get back to their winning ways is Peter Mueller.

Today, Colorado Avalanche forward Peter Mueller skated for the first time since suffering a concussion in the preseason, the Denver Post reports.

The Colorado Avalanche have had a lot of issues with injuries so far this season.  With key players such as T.J. Galiardi, Peter Mueller and Kyle Cumiskey still out of action with various ailments, they have had to rely heavily on mid-season call-ups. 

A seemingly harmless body check, during a meaningless game against the Los Angeles Kings, was enough to change the culture of the Avalanche's lineup for the foreseeable future.

The concussion left wing Peter Mueller—known Mark Messier helmet advocate—sustained in the Avalanche's second pre-season game, has negatively impacted the team, through it's first four games.

With apologies to the Phoenix Coyotes, the Colorado Avalanche were the most impressive story in the NHL last year. They were picked by many people—myself included—to finish dead last in the league. They had a dearth of talent, and that which they did have was young and completely unproven.

Behind the fantastic play of rookie centers Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly, the emergence of goalie Craig Anderson and an amazing coaching job by Joe Sacco, however, the team found its way into the playoffs.

The Colorado Avalanche wrapped up a shaky preseason (2-5-0) Sunday by making the final cuts to their roster. Among them were defenseman Colby Cohen and forwards Ryan Stoa and Patrick Bordeleau.

The Centers

26 Paul Stastny

9 Matt Duchene

37 Ryan O'Reilly

12 Kevin Porter

11 Philippe Dupuis

That didn't take long.

After missing all of Colorado's playoff games due to a concussion sustained at the end of the 2010 regular season, fully healed Peter Mueller is out indefinitely following yet another concussion.

Media sources in Denver are reporting on Friday afternoon that Peter Mueller has signed a two-year, $4 million deal with the Avalanche. He’ll make $1.5 million this season and $2.5 million in 2011-12

Mueller, 22, burst onto the scene with a strong rookie campaign with the Phoenix Coyotes in 2007-08, posting 54 points (22 goals, 32 assists). Of those points, 22 (seven goals, 15 assists) were on the power play, and expectations were through the roof.

Friday has been an eventful day for the NHL, as three of its remaining restricted free agents have agreed to deals with their respective teams. Oiler, Coyote and Avalanche fans; breath a sigh of relief. Your treasured youngsters are back for the next season.