Guerin to Tryout with Flyers

  Veteran forward Bill Guerin has agreed to a tryout with the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Guerin took part in an informal workout with the team September 1st, and skated with 30 other Flyers players last week.

"Right now I'm just kind of skating and being around the guys," Guerin told the Courier-Post after a fifty minute scrimmage on Thursday. "This is a team I would definitely like to play for, but we'll see."

  Guerin, who turns 40 in November, has played 18 years in the National League. He has played in 1,263 games, totaling 856 points (429 goals and 427 assists) with a career plus/minus of +51. His time has been split between New Jersey, Edmonton, Boston, Dallas, St. Louis, San Jose, New York (Islanders), and for the past two years Pittsburgh. Along the way he has achieved two Stanley Cup Championships (1995 - New Jersey and 2009 - Pittsburgh), appeared in four NHL All-Star games, won the NHL ALL-Star MVP of 2001, two NHL Second All-Star Teams, and won a silver medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics.

  Guerin is a battle tested and proven veteran that brings so many things to an NHL franchise. Coming off of a successful two years in Pittsburgh he was not offered a new deal in August despite notching 21 goals and 24 assists in 78 games played (last season). In the post season he tallied 4 goals and 5 assists in 11 games with a +3 rating.

  Although nothing has been decided, Guerin should be wearing a Flyers uniform next season provided the contract is right for both parties and the training camp goes well. His departure from Pittsburgh would then mean a very subtle change for he and his family logistically.

"I really thought this would be a good fit for me," Guerin told CSNPhilly.com. "Besides the logistics for my family and personal things, this is a good fit for me hockey-wise and probably the best out there with a chance to win. I'm in the twilight of my career and I want to win."

  If the Flyers are able to sign Guerin, they’re looking better ahead of next year after coming off a very close Finals appearance last year with the Blackhawks in which they lost in six games.

  Guerin knows the Atlantic Division like the back of his hand, and everyone in the Atlantic Division knows and fears Bill Guerin. If Guerin signs, he will have worn all but one sweater within the Atlantic (baring the Rangers) and is ten years (of 18) experienced in that division, two of which he finished up raising the Stanley Cup.

  Guerin could very well be that piece that was missing last year for the Flyers, and I think GM Paul Holmgren is very aware of that.

- Kendall Grubbs