Grey Guerin: Worth Keeping Around?

For a guy who was on the last place team in the league, the season turned out much better than I am sure he expected. After being traded at the deadline to Pittsburgh, the 38 year old began a story book ending to his 16th NHL season.

You would think that after the grueling playoff series' he endured and winning a Stanley Cup at the ripe old age of 38 Guerin would be considering retiring. According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Guerin is quoted as saying "Yeah, I'm going to keep playing. It'd be a great way to go out, but maybe I can do it in a couple years. I feel like I've got a lot of gas left in the tank. I feel I performed well. It doesn't matter what my age is. I feel good physically and mentally and I still love to play, so I'm going to keep playing."

During the 17 regular season games he played with Pittsburgh he put up 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points. In 24 postseason games he put in 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points, much of which he played with Sidney Crosby on the first even strength line and power play unit. He was also a plus player in both the regular season and playoffs with the Penguins.

I had the enjoyable experience of seeing most of the Penguins games this playoff season. I have to say that at no time did Guerin look out of place on Crosby's wing. Of course father time has deteriorated a once potent shot, but he did a great job of creating time and space for Sidney Crosby.

His leadership was also a valuable asset for the young Penguins in this Stanley Cup victory. He did not show frustration when the Penguins were behind in the series. He simply kept showing up and working as hard as a 38 year old body can.

Now comes the question, would I resign Bill Guerin for another season? Personally yes, and I will tell you why. He may not warrant top line minutes and power play time next season, but I see another solid 20 goal and 40 point season out of Guerin. He would slot in well in a second line role with these Stanley Cup champions.

Of course in resigning him you would need to have a reasonable cap hit for his contract. In my mind that number would be in the $2,000,000 to $3,000,000 range.

Would you resign the Grey Guerin, and is so at what price?