Kirk Muller

Kirk Christopher Muller (born February 8, 1966) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and coach. He played in the NHL for 19 seasons from 1984–85 until 2002–03 with the Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs and won the Stanley Cup in 1993 as member of the Montreal Canadiens. Muller also previously served as head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes from 2011 to 2014, and was an associate coach with the Canadiens from 2016 to 2021 following a previous stint as assistant coach with the team between 2006–2011. He was an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals from 2023-2026.

Playing career

Muller started his junior career with the Kingston Canadians of the Ontario Hockey League, but his most successful junior seasons were with the Guelph Platers. There was a dispute in 1984 between the Platers and the Canadian Olympic Team, who wanted Muller to play with them at the 1984 Winter Olympics. The Platers owner was upset over losing Muller for so much time, but eventually they came to an agreement and Muller played in the Olympics. He was drafted second overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1984 NHL entry draft behind Mario Lemieux. Although New Jersey had a surprisingly successful run in the 1988 playoffs, they never became a serious Stanley Cup contender while Muller was with them. After walking out of training camp on September 16, 1991, over a contract dispute, he was traded along with Roland Melanson to the Montreal Canadiens for Stéphane Richer and Tom Chorske on September 20.

Muller quickly became a fan favourite in Montreal, and he helped them win the Stanley Cup in 1993. He was traded to the New York Islanders during the 1994–95 NHL season. Initially, he was reluctant to report to the Islanders, then played a handful of games in an uninterested manner before team management decided that his poor attitude outweighed his potential contributions on the ice and barred him from the team. Eventually, the Islanders recalled Muller, but he refused to report, freeing the Islanders from their contractual obligations to pay him. Ultimately, Muller was traded at a discount to the Toronto Maple Leafs, in a three team trade that saw Muller and Don Beaupre go to the Maple Leafs, Martin Straka, Ken Belanger and the rights to Bryan Berard go to the Islanders while Damian Rhodes and the rights to Wade Redden went to the Ottawa Senators. Muller had his last 20 goal season with the Maple Leafs the next season, but he was traded to the Florida Panthers for prospect Jason Podollan as the Leafs fell out of the playoff picture.

Muller struggled in Florida, scoring just four goals in the whole 1998–99 NHL season. His last break came when he signed with the Dallas Stars in the middle of the 1999–2000 season. He spent four seasons with the Stars on a line that included Mike Keane and John MacLean. He retired at the end of the 2002–03 season.

Muller played in the NHL All-Star Game six times (1985, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1993).

Coaching career Muller began his coaching career with the Queen's University Golden Gaels in his hometown of Kingston. During 2005-06, Muller's Golden Gaels posted an 8-13-1-2 record in the Ontario University Athletics Conference.

Muller also held the title of assistant coach to Marc Habscheid with Team Canada, winning the gold medal at the 2005 Lotto Cup Tournament in Slovakia. In March 2006, he served as assistant coach to Greg Gilbert at the Under-18 World Championship.

Muller returned to the Montreal Canadiens on June 20, 2006, when he was named assistant coach of the Canadiens.

On June 27, 2011, the Nashville Predators announced that Muller had been hired as the head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Milwaukee Admirals. On November 28, 2011, Muller became coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, taking over for Paul Maurice. On May 5, 2014, Muller was relieved of his coaching duties by the Carolina Hurricanes. On May 13, 2014, Muller was signed by the St. Louis Blues as an assistant coach.

On June 2, 2016, the Montreal Canadiens rehired Muller as an associate coach.

On August 13, 2020, Muller temporarily replaced head coach Claude Julien who was hospitalized with chest pains.

On February 24, 2021, Muller along with head coach Claude Julien were fired from the Canadiens and former assistant coach Dominique Ducharme took over as interim head coach.

On June 10, 2021, Kirk Muller was named an associate coach for the Calgary Flames under head coach Darryl Sutter. He was named an assistant coach for the Washington Capitals on July 20, 2023. Muller left the Capitals at the end of their 2025-26 season.

Records New Jersey Devils franchise record for points in a single game (6) – Oct. 29, 1986 New Jersey Devils franchise record for assists in a single game (5) – Mar. 25, 1987

Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Regular season Playoffs Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM 1980–81 Kingston Voyageurs MetJHL 42 17 37 54 5 — — — — — 1980–81 Kingston Canadians OMJHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — — 1981–82 Kingston Canadians OHL 67 12 39 51 27 4 5 1 6 4 1982–83 Guelph Platers OHL 66 52 60 112 41 — — — — — 1983–84 Guelph Platers OHL 49 31 63 94 27 — — — — — 1983–84 Canada Intl 15 2 2 4 16 — — — — — 1984–85 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 17 37 54 69 — — — — — 1985–86 New Jersey Devils NHL 77 25 41 66 45 — — — — — 1986–87 New Jersey Devils NHL 79 26 50 76 75 — — — — — 1987–88 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 37 57 94 114 20 4 8 12 37 1988–89 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 31 43 74 119 — — — — — 1989–90 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 30 56 86 74 6 1 3 4 11 1990–91 New Jersey Devils NHL 80 19 51 70 76 7 0 2 2 10 1991–92 Montreal Canadiens NHL 78 36 41 77 86 11 4 3 7 31 1992–93 Montreal Canadiens NHL 80 37 57 94 77 20 10 7 17 18 1993–94 Montreal Canadiens NHL 76 23 34 57 96 7 6 2 8 4 1994–95 Montreal Canadiens NHL 33 8 11 19 33 — — — — — 1994–95 New York Islanders NHL 12 3 5 8 14 — — — — — 1995–96 New York Islanders NHL 15 4 3 7 15 — — — — — 1995–96 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 36 9 16 25 42 6 3 2 5 0 1996–97 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL 66 20 17 37 85 — — — — — 1996–97 Florida Panthers NHL 10 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 1997–98 Florida Panthers NHL 70 8 21 29 54 — — — — — 1998–99 Florida Panthers NHL 82 4 11 15 49 — — — — — 1999–2000 Dallas Stars NHL 47 7 15 22 24 23 2 3 5 18 2000–01 Dallas Stars NHL 55 1 9 10 26 10 1 3 4 12 2001–02 Dallas Stars NHL 78 10 20 30 28 — — — — — 2002–03 Dallas Stars NHL 55 1 5 6 18 12 1 1 2 8 NHL totals 1,349 357 602 959 1,223 127 33 36 69 153

International Year Team Event GP G A Pts PIM 1984 Canada WJC 7 2 1 3 16 1984 Canada OG 6 2 1 3 0 1985 Canada WC 10 2 2 4 12 1986 Canada WC 9 4 3 7 12 1987 Canada WC 10 2 0 2 8 1989 Canada WC 9 6 4 10 6 Senior totals 42 16 10 26 38

Head coaching record Team Year Regular season Postseason G W L OTL Pts Finish W L ResultCAR 2011–12 57 25 20 12 (62) 5th in Southeast — — Missed playoffs CAR 2012–13 48 19 25 4 42 3rd in Southeast — — Missed playoffsCAR 2013–14 82 36 35 11 83 7th in Metropolitan — — Missed playoffsTotal 187 80 80 27 — —