Knowing the Bruins like I think I do, it's just lip service so in the event of a trade or if they loose him on 7/1, then at least the Bruins can say that they "made Billy a quality contract offer" and unfortunately, it didn't work out.
Just my opinion - Jim
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Sources: B's trying to sign Guerin
MONTREAL - Bill Guerin insists he's heard nothing, but two independent sources said earlier this week that Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell has launched an 11th-hour effort to try and re-sign the team's top sniper, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Unfortunately for Bruins fans, a big part of O'Connell's task apparently is convincing owner Jeremy Jacobs to spend the megabucks it would cost to stop the 31-year-old winger from testing the free agent market. Guerin likely will seek a multi-year deal worth $8-9 million per season.
Guerin fits the bill as the quintessential Bruin: a tough and talented two-way player; a hard worker; humble; a leader on and off the ice, an honest voice who stepped up and criticized his team's play in last night's 5-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Certainly, if the B's let him walk away, it'll be a monumental public relations disaster. But has Jacobs, in his Buffalo corporate tower, ever concerned himself with the disappointment of the fans in Boston?
Guerin wants to stay. O'Connell apparently wants to keep him, even at a very high price. But at this late date, it's questionable whether Jacobs would OK an offer adequate enough to convince Guerin to give up his once-in-a-career opportunity to strike it rich. Last summer, Guerin turned down a four-year deal paying $4 million in the first season, then $7 million for each of the next three years.
Team president Harry Sinden said on Tuesday the club did make an additional offer to Guerin at some point during this season, but that offer was also rebuffed.
``I know (O'Connell) made a pretty damned good offer and it was turned down,'' said Sinden. ``It wasn't recently, but I know it was during the season.
``I'm sure (Guerin) does (want to test the market). When he turned down Mike's offer last summer and went to arbitration, that pretty well indicated he planned to go test the market - unless we do something haywire.''
Sinden said he knew no details of an effort by O'Connell to discuss possible trades for Guerin during the NHL general managers' meetings earlier this week in Florida, but figured that would be the proper forum for such talks.
``I'm sure if there's anything going on with our team in terms of a trade, it'll be discussed down there,'' said Sinden.
Guerin is resigned to the possibility of an imminent trade, but does not want to be leave.
``I've talked to Mike, he knows how I feel about wanting to stay here,'' Guerin said yesterday.
Just my opinion - Jim
=====
Sources: B's trying to sign Guerin
MONTREAL - Bill Guerin insists he's heard nothing, but two independent sources said earlier this week that Bruins general manager Mike O'Connell has launched an 11th-hour effort to try and re-sign the team's top sniper, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1.
Unfortunately for Bruins fans, a big part of O'Connell's task apparently is convincing owner Jeremy Jacobs to spend the megabucks it would cost to stop the 31-year-old winger from testing the free agent market. Guerin likely will seek a multi-year deal worth $8-9 million per season.
Guerin fits the bill as the quintessential Bruin: a tough and talented two-way player; a hard worker; humble; a leader on and off the ice, an honest voice who stepped up and criticized his team's play in last night's 5-3 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.
Certainly, if the B's let him walk away, it'll be a monumental public relations disaster. But has Jacobs, in his Buffalo corporate tower, ever concerned himself with the disappointment of the fans in Boston?
Guerin wants to stay. O'Connell apparently wants to keep him, even at a very high price. But at this late date, it's questionable whether Jacobs would OK an offer adequate enough to convince Guerin to give up his once-in-a-career opportunity to strike it rich. Last summer, Guerin turned down a four-year deal paying $4 million in the first season, then $7 million for each of the next three years.
Team president Harry Sinden said on Tuesday the club did make an additional offer to Guerin at some point during this season, but that offer was also rebuffed.
``I know (O'Connell) made a pretty damned good offer and it was turned down,'' said Sinden. ``It wasn't recently, but I know it was during the season.
``I'm sure (Guerin) does (want to test the market). When he turned down Mike's offer last summer and went to arbitration, that pretty well indicated he planned to go test the market - unless we do something haywire.''
Sinden said he knew no details of an effort by O'Connell to discuss possible trades for Guerin during the NHL general managers' meetings earlier this week in Florida, but figured that would be the proper forum for such talks.
``I'm sure if there's anything going on with our team in terms of a trade, it'll be discussed down there,'' said Sinden.
Guerin is resigned to the possibility of an imminent trade, but does not want to be leave.
``I've talked to Mike, he knows how I feel about wanting to stay here,'' Guerin said yesterday.
