Flyers release Guerin from tryout contract

In a somewhat surprising move, the Flyers have released veteran winger Bill Guerin from his tryout contract. Guerin, who almost seemed like a lock to make the team after Ian Laperriere was lost for the season, didn't do enough this preseason to distinguish himself from the younger, cheaper options the Flyers had at forward. His release opens the door for Andreas Nodl and/or Ben Holmstrom to make the team.

This could be the end of the road for Guerin, who at age 39, looks like he has lost a step or two. Perhaps it was just his infected elbow, but Guerin never seemed to mesh with the Flyers, who were hoping he could be a possible power play contributor. Perhaps another team will take a shot at the 18 year NHL veteran, hoping he will still be good for 20 goals.

Bill Guerin accepts tryout offer with Flyers

The longer he worked out with the Flyers, the more likely this became: Bill Guerin has accepted a tryout offer with the Flyers. Guerin, who has been working out with Flyers veterans for the last two weeks, was angling to sign a contract somewhere but seemed to change his mind as he approached Paul Holmgren and asked for a tryout.

Guerin isn't guaranteed to make the Flyers roster but you can bet he will give Dan Carcillo a run for his spot on the wing. Given Guerin's veteran leadership and ability to contribute, he could be an asset to the Flyers at the right price. Even if he doesn't make the team, there is no harm in bringing him in and pushing the fringe roster players to play harder.

With a good showing in camp, the Flyers may have just found a new third line winger. He'll just happen to bring with him a pair of Stanley Cups and 856 career points.

Bill Guerin working out with Flyers, hopes for tryout offer

Just when you thought the Flyers roster was set, we might have a late addition to the team: veteran Bill Guerin is working out in Philly and it sounds like he's hoping to get a tryout invite to training camp. Guerin, an 18 year veteran who has played for 8 teams in the NHL, put up decent numbers playing with Sidney Crosby on the Penguins last year, including 21 goals and 24 assists. The Penguins let him go, however, so the 39 year old Guerin is now hoping to stick on with the Flyers.

Whether the Flyers have room for him is another question. Sure, a veteran presence like Guerin would be nice to have in the locker room, but if he is signed by the Flyers, it will have to be at the expense of someone on their roster, likely Dan Carcillo. While there would be no harm in giving Guerin a training camp invite, the Flyers will have to figure out if Guerin has enough left in the tank to be a quality third line winger before they sign him to a contract. Given his age, one would think that Guerin is too old but when you see someone like Mark Recchi still producing at age 42, you can't assume that he's too old to contribute.

Signing Guerin would be a solid move if he proves himself in training camp. Adding a veteran, Cup-winning presence to the mix is always a good thing as long as he can be a solid contributor on the ice. As long as Guerin signs for a reasonable contract, if he can out-perform Dan Carcillo, he deserves a roster spot on the Flyers.