"Young and talented, but not living up to team expectations.

The same thing often said about the Avalanche's Wojtek Wolski was said about Peter Mueller in Phoenix.

The Avalanche is hoping a move to Denver will get the hockey world back to saying good things about Mueller again. The Avs acquired Mueller, 21, and prospect Kevin Porter from the Coyotes on Wednesday for Wolski, arguably the biggest trade of the NHL's annual deal-a-palooza. The Avs also reacquired center Stephane Yelle from the Carolina Hurricanes and prospect Harrison Reed for prospect Cedric-Lalonde McNicholl and a sixth-round draft choice this year.

In 2006, the Coyotes drafted Mueller eighth overall. His rookie season gained him consideration for the NHL's Calder Trophy, with 22 goals and 54 points. In the next 126 games, Mueller's production fell to 17 goals and 36 assists — with only four goals and 17 points in 54 games this season.

Mueller believes his play was better than his numbers.

"Obviously, I want to overcome this adversity and prove people wrong and put up the numbers that I know I can," Mueller said Wednesday before playing with the Avs against the Anaheim Ducks.

Mueller came up as a center, but played right wing on the second line against Anaheim. He has a big slap shot, and partly because of that, Avs coach Joe Sacco plans to play him on the right side on the first power-play unit."