After a long-term bitter stalemate, the Islanders sent (Kirk) Muller to the Toronto Maple Leafs in January, 1997 and he felt as if his career had been given a new lease on life. But the experiment was a disappointment and Muller was again sent packing after just over one year with the Maple Leafs. He was sent to the struggling Florida Panthers. Muller played to the best of his abilities, but on a talent-depleted team it was evident Muller, at 33, was not going to be the cornerstone for a turnaround.