Bill Guerin: Swan-song or Renaissance?

by pascaldupweevil on May 26, 2009 3:54 PM EDT Comment 5 comments

At the 2009 trade deadline, not long after Ray Shero sent D-man Ryan Whitney packing for Anaheim in return for Winger Chris Kunits and his dirty grin, the Penguins acquired the seasoned veteran Bill Guerin for a conditional draft pick in '10. We now know that that pick will be in the third round. That's not a bad deal if he ends up being a fairly frequent contributor. What has happened, though, is that something inside Mr. Guerin was re-awakened and he has started to take on the look of a 25 year old skater. He's devastated the Flyers, Capitals, and Hurricanes on his way to 13 points and a +10 rating. With 48 points and a -12 rating, his regular season numbers tell an entirely different story. Of course, he spent all but the last month and a half of the season with the bottom-feeding New York Islanders. But, how much of his rebirth can be accredited to his addition to a line-up in which all of the key players are one year removed from a Stanley Cup Final? Were the Islanders that bad, or are the Penguins that good.

Should Guerin decide to continue playing next season, he will celebrate his 39th birthday about a month into the season. It's an age that is well above the league average, but several players have been able to continue playing well into their 40's with relative success. Gary Roberts, Chris Chelios, Claude Lemieux are a few examples. Is this Cup push it for Bill Guerin? Or do you, like I do, see him sticking with this team for another season or two? His playoff performance might garnish him some attention around the league, so if he feels he still has his legs under him, he may test free agency. I have my doubts that the latter will be the case. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching the renaissance of Bill Guerin this spring. I hope he can get his name etched on Lord Stanley's Cup at least one more time, here in 2009.

Poll

What does Bill Guerin's future hold?

He'll retire after the 2009 playoffs.

2 votes

He'll sign a 1 year deal with the Penguins, then retire after '10.

43 votes

He'll sign a multi-year contract with the Penguins.

19 votes

He'll test the free agent market.

5 votes

69 votes | Poll has closed

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big fan

ive always been a big fan of bill. even when he was mudering the pens on a regular basis with the various teams he has played for. i would venture to say that he is mulling over retirement and when you look at some of the quotes he has thrown out there i think he is leaning towards hanging them up. but i think if the pensbring it home he may sign on for one more year. but then again everyone wants to go out on top. See jerome bettis John Elway, Ray bourqe.

but there is that saying out there that 40 is the new 30…who knows i really hope he stays just because he seems to be having fun again

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by oldtimehockey09 on May 26, 2009 5:24 PM EDT reply actions

Having watched him on the Island...

You can count me as a fan of his. For this run he’s on, obviously difference #1 is playing with talent, including the best passer in the league. He was in a malaise of sorts on Long Island this year — the good captain whose crew-in-transition did not fit where he was in his career, and he was no longer getting prime minutes — no surprise he waived his no-trade.

Now he doesn’t have the burden of a captaincy on a young, struggling club, so he can just go out and play and finish sweet passes. He had a similar late-career breakout in St. Louis, where likewise he could “just play,” as it was a last-place team that brought him in as a one-year rental just to pot goals.

As for next season, who knows? But I’d tend to think the Pens would say “thanks for the ride, but it’s time to find someone younger.”

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by Dominik on May 27, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions

I think it was two-fold he injected experience and wisdom to the team, and Crosby injected a little youth in his game. I think he’ll wanna stick around but not for his current salary, he’ll have to take a pay cut there.

by JasonGoPens on May 27, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

I think he’ll stay around for at least one more season. I think after that, it will all depend on his performance as well as the team’s performance.

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by MommaGuin87 on May 27, 2009 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

As long as the Pens don't dump him like Leclair if he doesn't produce...

I think we might be seeing a resurgence based on the benefit of Guerin playing with a top flight center. Guerin’s best years were in Boston playing with Thornton. Playing on a winning club with arguably the league’s best center should jump start anyone with decent hands.

Guerin’s going to physically feel the hurt of this Stanley Cup run which could impact his recovery time and performance in the regular season. For that reason, I’d say despite his chemistry with Crosby, you have to make him a low priority UFA. And anyway, I think if Guerin gets the Cup, he probably retires.

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by Will Bulldozer on May 29, 2009 3:57 AM EDT reply actions