Free Agent Roundup: Bill Guerin -- stay or go and at what price?

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 17, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Pittsburgh Penguins free agents Comment 34 comments

Bill Guerin

#13 / Right Wing / Pittsburgh Penguins

Height: 6-2

Weight: 220

Born: Nov 09, 1970

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	GTG	SOG	PCT
2008 - Bill Guerin	78	21	27	48	-12	81	5	0	4	1	226	9.3

For veteran Bill Guerin Christmas came about two months late. Guerin, then the captain of the Islanders, was sent away from the team whie they tried to work out a trade. Pittsburgh stepped to the plate with a conditional draft pick (a 5th rounder if the Penguins didn't make the playoffs, a 4th if the Pens did make the playoffs and a maximum of a 3rd round pick if the Pens won a round). I think that's relevant to look back on, because at the trade deadline it wasn't even certain that Pittsburgh would make the playoffs and they ended up winning the whole thing.

So for the 90th overall pick in the draft (assuming the Islanders don't get the 3rd rounder that Pittsburgh got for Gary Roberts and Ryan Malone's rights) the Penguins got 17 regular season games, 5 goals, 7 assists and 24 playoff games with 7 goals and 8 assists. Stats only say so much as the 38 year old outspoken veteran also brought a sense of leadership and a strong voice for the young Penguins inside the lockeroom. The Guerin acquistion will go down along side the Ron Francis and Ulf Samuelsson to the Pens in 1991 deal in the lore that spurred Pittsburgh to Stanley Cups.

But what goes on from here? Guerin earned a salary of $4,500,000 this season and the Penguins, already at the salary cap, are giving big raises to Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal for next season. Guerin is on record as being very vocal about wanting to play at least next year. Billy G has stated his affection for playing in Pittsburgh, but renewing a contract is obviously not a concern of his at the moment. That hasn't stopped the cheerleading (led by Malkin at the parade: "One more year for Billy....NO....Make that two more") but it remains to be seen.

If Guerin is willing to accept a reduced salary he's the ideal fit for Pittsburgh. Even though he's advanced in age, Coach Dan Bylsma did a good job of managing the vet's ice-time; Guerin averaged 17:01 in the playoffs and 16:40 in the regular season. He's not going to be able to play 20+ minutes a night every night like Malkin and his linemate Sidney Crosby, but the beauty is he won't have to. If the Pens keep playing him about 12-13 minutes even strength and a couple of power-play minutes he ought to have enough in the tank all year and the team ought to get the reasonable statistical output that some of Crosby's previous wingers (like Pascal Dupuis and Colby Armstrong) couldn't provide.

Guerin's made a ton of money in his NHL career, so padding his wallet doesn't have to be his primary concern. Still, Guerin's played on eight different teams in his well traveled career -- including five since the lockout -- so switching things up is nothing new or unexpected for him.

Now it's decision time, probably an easy one here on Pensburgh since all signs should point to bringing Guerin back. But with three top six wingers to fill and not much salary room to do so, GM Ray Shero's going to have some tough decisions to make about Guerin, Ruslan Fedotenko and Petr Sykora. It's not a stretch to think only one of those three will be back. So I'm making the poll a little tricky:

Poll

Bill Guerin was a good fit and seems to be a realistic option to come back but would you:

Make Guerin the priority over other UFA wingers, he fit too well with Crosby

111 votes

Work hard to fit Guerin in but not at the absolute alienation of re-signing Fedotenko and/or Sykora

435 votes

Look to re-sign Guerin, even if it may mean having to let current players go and fill the gaps in free agency

84 votes

Let Billy G go free if he's not willing to accept a big pay-cut (about $2 million)

375 votes

1005 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I’ll blast this off. I take a very psychological view of whatever sport I watch and am forever watching facial expressions and listening to tone of voice, so take this for what it’s worth. I think that while Guerin plays well with Crosby and others, his main contribution is emotional. I think he brings a dose of veteran perspective and helps keep the younger guys (relatively) calm. Sometimes Crosby in particular comes on so tightly wound it almost hurts to watch him; Guerin makes a visible difference. He seems to have good effects on Staal and Geno, too. There’s only so much you can pay someone for “good vibes,” of course, but I honestly think Guerin’s are needed for at least one more year.

"Wow, you have, like, a black belt in bitch!"--My Dale Jr. & Red Wings-loving friend to me, 6/16/09

by GreenEyedLilo on Jun 17, 2009 9:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think you’re right.

Look at the guys who wear letters, the visible leaders….You got Crosby who’s still just 21 and mainly a quiet person in the lockeroom…A leader by example on the ice, more than a guy who’s natural in making a speech in the room.

Then you got Malkin who doesn’t speak much English (though we all know he understands and communicates just fine with his teammates). And you’ve got Gonchar, who like Crosby, is a quiet person by nature.

Guerin is outspoken and has the commanding personality to be a leader. I think he was exactly what the Pens needed on and off the ice.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 17, 2009 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, that argument has been made before, and it seems like when they’ve held onto pricey veteran wingers for that extra year it hasn’t worked out well(LeClair, Recchi). I think Guerin was a great pick-up last year and an integral part of their success, but objectively, it’s probably time to move on. If this wasn’t a team with 2 superstars, a $4m 3rd line center, a $5m+ goalie and a $5m defenseman…yeah, maybe.

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jun 17, 2009 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably thinks they have a legitimate shot at a repeat which would be sweet

by CGNC on Jun 17, 2009 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like Hooks mentioned...

Billy has been making pretty big bucks for a long time. If he’s been saving and making smart investments, taking a $2 million pay cut to take one more shot at a cup might be something he’s willing to do. He was having tons of fun out there, and from a personal standpoint he’s going to have to weigh whether or not he can do another full season with this roster and still have fun with it.

I honestly think if he can’t work out a deal with the Pens then he will retire.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 17, 2009 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he even said something earlier this year about Sid being one of the best players he’s ever played with. I’m sure deep down he’s thinking, “Man, if only this were 10 years ago.” But that’s neither here nor there. Here’s his chance to close out a great career on a high note. If a pay cut is necessary I don’t see how he could turn down the opportunity to play some of his best hockey over the last few seasons of his career.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many of us don’t eventually start thinking, “Man if only this was 10 years ago.”? lol

But you’re right, even with all the griping and jealousy around the league about Sid, you won’t find many guys who wouldn’t love to be on the ice with him. Billy’s opportunity is right in front of him to continue playing with such meteoric talent like not only Crosby, but Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal, et. al.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 17, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I had sort of resigned myself to losing Billy after this season. The consensus I was hearing throughout the playoffs was that he was likely to hang up his skates if the Penguins won, and that he was ready to focus on being a dad full-time. But if he wants to come back, I guess that changes everything.

I would love to see him come back, of course. When the Pens were seriously adrift in midseason, it seemed like they really missed the steadying veteran influence in the locker room that Gary Roberts had provided a year earlier, and Guerin was exactly what they needed in that regard. Plus, the guy came into the NHL through Jacques Lemaire’s Devils system, so we got someone who knows what fundamentally sound hockey is all about. And I thought he played at a very high level all throughout the postseason.

While I don’t think a contract offer at his previous salary is a realistic option, yes, if he could be signed for 1-2 years at a lower rate I’d happily welcome him back.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jun 17, 2009 9:43 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The fact is, the guy played last year for $4.5m. Even if he was willing to take a discount of say, $3.5m/yr for 2 years, that money would be better spent on re-signing Scuderi. They could probably get Gill and Tank back next season combined for about $4-4.5m.

I really like the guy but with a salary structure like the Pens have(see: hourglass), you can’t but too many more guys on the top or it’s gonna tumble(see: Tampa Bay Lightning).

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jun 17, 2009 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i hear you

I would agree that Scuderi and Fedotenko should be higher priorities than Guerin.

P is for Latrobe.

by holiday park on Jun 17, 2009 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also agree

Current UFA priorities
1. Scuderi
2. Fedotenko
3. Guerin
4. Adams

Since this is about Guerin, i’ll focus on him. I think commiting anything more than one year $2 mil would be a mistake. I appreciate everything he brought to the table and can honestly say without him and his leadership, we would not be the champs. But this is a business decision and if he’s not willing to accept a one year deal at around the $2 i mentioned, then it’s time to move on.

by AronV on Jun 17, 2009 11:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Interesting thoughts….I agree that the ideal would be to sign Guerin for one year at $2 million.

If he was holding out for the $3m range that would be a difficult decision to make…Maybe it’s just the era of good feelings from winning the Cup, but I think (and hope) Billy G will be willing to work out a good deal for the Pens.

I think the experience of playing in Pittsburgh, with Crosby and the chance for another deep playoff run is/should be more important to him than maybe making another $1-1.5 million dollars in another city.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 17, 2009 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i know the difference between the $2 mil and $3 mil, may not seem like much, but that’s a better backup goaltender, or some depth guy like Zigomanis/Adams that we would be able to add to the team if we can get Guerin to take $2 mil contract. Scuds then needs to get in line and get a $2.5ish cap hit type deal, I wouldn’t mind going 3-5 years at that price going forward with him. I’m a little worried about what it might take to get RFA Goligoski to sign, his cap hit was already a little under $1 mil last year.

by AronV on Jun 17, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Guerin’s a beer drinking blue collar guy. That’s probably why Pittsburgh fans took such an interest in him right away, in addition to his natural ability to stand out and be efficient along the way. I think you have to give Guerin some serious consideration for a return. As Hooks said, Crosby is the quiet guy in the locker room who tends to lead on ice rally than with rally cries. You need a vet like Billy G to stand up and rally the troops and keep heads clear when the going gets tough.

Another year or two for Guerin sounds good for me. It would seem the team is very intent on bringing him back.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 11:57 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Knob Hockey is to be believed, and why shouldn’t it, Crosby leads with all the flair of a high school cheerleader. :)

Pittsburgh Black And Gold -- So new, it still smells like paint!

by JustinM on Jun 17, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

As long as he’s using one of those stupid megaphone things I fail to see the problem.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

probably thinks they have a legitimate shot at a repeat which would be sweet

by CGNC on Jun 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Gotta be quick around here LOL – good job with keeping the info coming

by CGNC on Jun 17, 2009 12:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

We have a lot to get to before the 09/10 season starts ;-)

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i really like like this little articles Frank keep them coming

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on Jun 17, 2009 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well this one was Hooks (and tomorrow we have the first front page contribution from a new writer but Pensburgh regular). But you bet – we’ll keep stuff churning out. Have an important announcement as well for possibly tomorrow or Friday afternoon too. Keep your eyes open.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they will be piled sir. so whats the ground breaking story. Hossaès coming back to pitt for a bag of pucks… lol

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on Jun 17, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh almost forgot to give Hooks props for this one.

Lifes rough, wear a helment

by lambofgad on Jun 17, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No ground breaking story per se. More of an overall enhancement to the site.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Keep BIlly G! Feds/Scuderi a must!

Funny how we all casually throw around salaries in the many millions. Man if I could get $4.5M over 30 years, I’d be living more than comfortably. Alas it comes down to what a guy who doesn’t need the money (God I hope he doesn’t NEED it) will do. You made $4.5M and won the Cup, how much of a discount would you take? Half? $5M/2yr.? Obviously the guy has a LOT of value as a leader, a Father figure on the ice to a bunch of young players who otherwise would still be in College! Would love to keep him for that reason alone. His skill is still there, but not the skill of a $4.5M dollar man. Fedetenko and Scuderi need to be kept on board, Satan can definitely go unless he will take half or less (which I can’t imagine he would) Sykora depends on his asking price, probably gone as well. We shall see. If nothing else this salary cap stuff keeps it interesting…

by Dutch71 on Jun 17, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

30 years?

that’s quite the longevity (Gordie Howe). A lot of us assumed that Hossa at this time last year, was already rich, and he had to have enjoyed playing deep in the playoffs and couldn’t possibly turn down a long term contract with a good team, but we know how that turned out. I mean if the blackhawks offered Guerin a 2 year $6mil contract, would you begrudge him for taking it? I probably wouldn’t, not if we’re offering 1 year $2 mil. But in the end if not Guerin, we’ll be able to add someone Guerin-like at the deadline again and be OK. I wouldn’t go crazy overcommiting to these UFA’s. That’s how other teams get in CAP trouble. As long as we have our money tied up in the Crosby/Malkin/Staal/Fleury/Orpik types I think we’ll be ok without the Hossa’s and Gaborik’s of the world.

by AronV on Jun 17, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great points, Aron….Impossible to say what anyone will do until they make the choices themselves. Of course Guerin — like almost every Penguin recently would “want to” come back to Pittsburgh, it’s a good hockey market, great players and a chance to win.

But, as we saw last year with Hossa, words can be pretty cheap.

by Hooks Orpik on Jun 17, 2009 2:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Too bad there's not more cap room...

Because Kovie’s a UFA who made $4.5 million in ‘08-’09. Would be cool to have one of my all-time favorite Pens back.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 17, 2009 4:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I liked Kovy when we was in Pittsburgh, but I don’t think he’d be a good fit anymore. This is a mostly young team, and to put any veteran on this team must be done very carefully. A safer move would be to take a guy in his mid-to-late twenties with a little potential in the tank and stick him with Sid or Geno.

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jun 17, 2009 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Like Tenk…(okay, he’s 30 but close enough).

"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action." - George Washington

by Hockey Beard in SLC on Jun 17, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with Malsby although I really think Kovie should get the hell out of Dodge (Montreal). They loved him and then they loved to hate him. He showed signs of fragility right around the trade deadline but posted a strong finish. I remember a few months back I was talking to a co-worker who was “trying to get back into hockey.” He was a Rangers fan back in the day and talked about Kovie. “Remember Kovalev?” he asked. “That guy was awesome.” I then told him Kovie was still playing and my co-worker was beside himself. I guess people don’t realize the average hockey player’s tenure.

Follow the Penguins on SBN @ Pensburgh.com and twitter.

by FrankD on Jun 17, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They loved him and then they loved to hate him.

Isn’t that how it goes with every player in Montreal? Look at Carey Price. At one point he was being called, ‘Jesus Price’. They’re turning on him pretty fast now.

Heart, Max Talbot has it by the mile. The Pens are your 2008-2009 Stanley Cup Champions.

by Malsby on Jun 17, 2009 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wasn’t it interesting how they were celebrating their 100th anniversary, comprised more than 50% of the starting lineup of the all-star game, and then barely made the playoffs, getting ousted in the first round. I remember hoping that the Pens would have a chance to knock them out of the playoffs with a win in the final regular season game. Just turned out that it was an opportunity to push the Flyers out of home-ice, which is as good or better.

-David
sixminutecynic.blogspot.com
www.piratesmix.com.

by pascaldupweevil on Jun 19, 2009 2:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kunitz vs Billy

I don’t get how people are saying kunitz at 3.725 mil is good but any more then 2 mil for Guerin let him go. Guerin has a lethal shot, he hits he’s hard to move in front of the net. If we could I’d move kunitz and keep Guerin and pay him 3 if i had to.

Phili B

by ColeHarbour on Jun 23, 2009 7:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs