Yesterday the final cuts started in Philly, and the first one off the bus was Billy Guerin. The soon-to-be 40 year old was released from his tryout contract he signed in August with the Flyers. Guerin scored one goal and missed several game this preseason due to a cut on his elbow.
Looking forward, the decision seems like the right one. Nodl played excellent this preseason, showing he can be a force at both ends and that he could make this team's starting roster. Powe stepped up his game to show that he could also put the puck in the net, scoring 3 goals this preseason. Dan Carcillo was a bit of a head scratcher but Homer seems to like him. Carcillo's game returned in the final preseason game where he scored a goal and got thrown out.
Powe and Carcillo are not off the hot seat yet however. When healthy, if not already, Betts will return to the lineup permanetly, taking the 4th line center role away from Powe and leaving him to joust with Carcillo and Shelley for the 4th line wings, with Laperriere out indefinately.
The Flyers have a bevy of talent on their current roster and in their system. Signing a guy like Guerin would only take away chances for guys like Andreas Nodl and Jon Kalinski to take a shot at the top level.
Guerin will be in the NHL by the end of October. Guaranteed.
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