Guerin Has Silenced His Critics
Jesse Marshall | Pittsburgh Penguins
Jun 11, 01:18 PM | Hype this story!
The reaction from the Penguin fanbase when Bill Guerin was acquired for a conditional draft pick was a resounding “That’s it!?”.
Tales of cancerous locker-room experiences and lackluster performances on the Island circulated the city.
Ray Shero found a winger for Sidney Crosby, but it wasn’t the one most fans were hoping for.
The lifesuck that is the Nassau Coliseum had purportedly claimed Bill Guerin as an additional casualty, yet Ray Shero went all in, gambling that Guerin would be reinvigorated by the youth that is present on the Penguins roster.
Sometimes big gambles can pay off.
Facing down the final game of the season, Guerin’s journey from March to today has been a joy to watch.
He has certainly lost a step, his beard is dotted with gray patches, but Bill Guerin has those intangibles that make him an effective player, especially in situations like tomorrow night. He can still hit. He can still get the puck deep. But most importantly, he still has that absolutely wicked wrist shot.
In fact, when looking at the entirety of Guerin’s career, it’s hard to not like what he’s brought to the table. Hockey is a sport of hard work, passion and emotion. Guerin, an American-made player, has been able to endear himself to the Penguins fanbase not only because of his gracious attitude (a slap in the face to the rumors of him being a locker room cancer), but because of his work ethic. Guerin has been pushed to the limit by Sidney Crosby, and it’s paid off in some timely goals and beautiful set-ups.
The situation has to be especially unique to Guerin, who went from the basement dwelling Islanders to a team fresh off of its first Cup Finals visit the year before. As long ago as it seems to us, Guerin’s arrival was to a Penguin team that wasn’t exactly guaranteed a post-season berth. He played an integral part in ensuring that his new team would have the opportunity that make that visit to the finals one more time.
Now, months later, Guerin is facing the opportunity to hoist the cup one more time as the waning moments of his career stare him in the face.
How quickly things change. All of a sudden, Guerin is 60 minutes away from the possibility of hoisting the prize yet again. His 7 goals have been timely, and that total is one more the 6 notched by Detroit’s Marian Hossa. That in and of itself should bring a smile to anyone wearing a black and gold sweater.
It has been 15 years for Guerin. And like many before him, winning that Cup in only your third NHL season can make a player feel invincible. As if the Cups were just going to come easy throughout his career.
Fifteen hard seasons later, Guerin is thirsty again.
Whatever the outcome of tomorrow’s game, I’m holding out hope that Guerin has a little left in the tank. If the price is right, and I’m sure Guerin would make sure it is, we could see him back in a Pittsburgh uniform for an encore performance next season.
I, for one, certainly wouldn’t mind at all.
When the puck drops on Game 7, take a moment to watch Billy Guerin take a shift.
He’s going to have the look of a grizzled veteran staring down the final moments of his career, one last chance to taste that glory that he had as a young player fifteen long years ago.
Comments
Matt Bodenschatz
Jun 11, 03:01 PM
Great piece, Jesse. I’d love to have Billy back next season at around $2 million. He’s still got a bit left in the tank, and he genuinely seems to enjoy being around his new teammates.
TheOneAndOnlySurge
Jun 11, 03:06 PM
Damn Jesse, you usually always have good articles but the last few you have done had some amazing tributes built in. Great job and keep up the good work.
Shlim
Jun 11, 03:26 PM
excellent read.
The bad A billy g has been an excellent piece to the top line. We need more power forwards like himself.
Nathan
Jun 11, 04:18 PM
Yes, I’d like Guerin riding shotgun for Crosby for one more year, these veterans over the years have all had noticeable impact on especially Sid’s game, and the whole team’s.
If he does sign though, be prepared for the unproductive stretches that will inevitabely happen, and of course the ‘outrage’ from fans that Guerin can’t play anymore.
Pens1967
Jun 11, 05:32 PM
I think if the Pens’ win the Cup, Guerin will retire. If not, I think the Pens have other priorities to sign like RFA’s Letang and Goligoski plus making an offer to Scuderi.
I think the history of the Pens’ signing veterns like LeClaire, Recchi and Roberts after the Pens thought they something left in the tank is that it didn’t work out all that well.
It’s time for the Pens to bring up the talented grinder like Caputi or Tangradi and let them grow with Crosby instead of having a rental player(s) on his wings every year.
DaBich
Jun 11, 07:08 PM
Jesse, you did it again. You give me goosebumps when you write things like this :)
I’d love to see Billy back for one year…then go from there.
Pens, you have a point on the newbies, bring them up when Billy needs a breather :)
REBEL
Jun 11, 07:49 PM
Jesse, that was absolutely eloquent! Very impressive, indeed. I imagine that Billy is telling his teammates not to take these trips to the Finals for granted (even though they know this intellectually, for young players it takes time to sink into their psyches).
I believe this game comes down to who wants it the most, and that if the Pens come out hitting hard as in Game 6 (the Wings don’t seem to like getting hit) and can score early, they will plant a seed of doubt in the Wings’ minds. It seems the Pens have played Detroit tougher than the Wings expected, and reading their blogs, really kind of expected to close it out in Game 6.
I would not be opposed to a one year deal for Billy G. We still have no long term solution for the wings on the top two lines. I think Sykora is done. So is Satan. Fedotenko will probably get another short term deal. Who knows, maybe Hossa will want to come back if he is denied again! But we probably won’t have the cap room for that. I just hope the WBS boys are ready next year. Go Pens!
By the way, Matt and Jesse, your articles are a real pleasure to read, Mike’s too. I really enjoy postings from Pens1967, Surge, and Dabich, too. Your readers post interesting and insightful comments, and are the highest quality in the blogosphere. Just check posts on any other site SI.com, TSN, etc.
Moq
Jun 11, 08:50 PM
I was probably among the skeptics when Guerin was aquired at the deadline. Suffice to say that he has defused my initial doubt.
However, I’m not sure that Guerin would be a good 82+ game solution for the 2009-2010 Penguins. It’s a bigger gamble than the role of deadline difference maker due to age and the hardship of a complete season. As written by Pens1967 our recent veteran history hasn’t been entirely succesful.
Of course, a limited role at reduced salary could work in theory. He would surely be a good role model for some the younger forwards.
emo
Jun 11, 11:40 PM
I was definitely against bringing him here. Between him not having performed well in previous playoffs, not producing much to that point this season, being at end of his career, and talk of character issues, I felt there was nothing to gain, and his presence could possibly be a negative.
This is exactly why Ray Shero has built a team that’s 1 win away from a championship and I am sitting in my living room, typing on a laptop. =)
With Hossa’s playoff last year and Guerin’s this year, is Pittsburgh becoming a destination for players that want to shed past playoff disappointments?
Pens1967
Jun 12, 05:46 AM
I wouldn’t mind seeing Guerin retire and then be hired as as assistant in WBS. WBS is not that far from his home on LI, either.
DaBich
Jun 12, 06:38 AM
Rebel, thanks for the compliment =)
But you’re right…these guys do a fantastic job on FF and we all get to enjoy it!
Ray aka WildcatRay
Jun 12, 10:24 AM
Count me as one of the slightly skeptical fans with regard to acquiring Guerin. I am glad we got him as he has been a fine addition for the Pens and Sid.
And, for the right price, I’d gladly like to see him in black & gold, again, next year.
Jesse Marshall
Jun 12, 11:08 AM
Thanks guys, I really appreciate it.
Good to have all year here. No matter what, this was an awesome season!
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