Notebook Buzz
A League Source tells Inside Pittsburgh Sports that within the past 72 hours, the Rangers and Capitals had deals on the table for Bill Guerin. One of the deals fell through.
The Rangers are a team that isn’t getting mentioned right now but Glen Sather has wanted to bring Guerin to New York for some time. Cap issues are being worked out right now and the Islanders have been working off of two deals. Reports out of Washington indicate the Capitals are out but that remains to been seen.
Right now a source says the Rangers, possibly the Caps and a mystery team that has shown interest in Guerin for a few months remain in discussions with the Islanders. The Isles have yet to approach Guerin to waive his NTC.
It’s believed a deal fell apart with the Caps early this morning but they are not believed to be totally out of it despite some denials from the Washington media. The Capitals have also been linked to Isles defenseman Brendan Witt the past couple weeks. The Rangers remain very much in it. Sources tell me the mystery team got back involved when talks with the Caps hit a snag this morning.
Updates will appear at the bottom of the page
The Penguins had interest in Guerin but sources told me in early February that Guerin wouldn’t come to Pittsburgh because of the way older veterans were treated in the past. With a coaching change and teams on his wishlist like Boston chasing other big names, have the Penguins jumped back into the Guerin sweepstakes? Read more for the latest.
As for the Penguins, team sources continue to tell me same thing I heard last night. Only way Penguins make a move for Guerin is if the Penguins send equal salary to New York. A source would neither confirm nor deny that the Penguins have held discussions within the past 48 hours
Will try to gather more info now that the game is over but based on everything I’m told, unlikely the Penguins got back in the Guerin sweepstakes. Shero is chasing top tier players.
Carolina and Buffalo have shown a lot interest but I can’t see Guerin waiving his NTC there, so I don’t think they’re the mystery team.
6:30 p.m. – Philadelphia being mentioned as a possible suitor for Guerin.
9:53 p.m. –¬†A deal with the Caps fell through earlier today. (They’re not out of it though).¬†Pittsburgh’s situation hasn’t changed. If Snow is willing to take on the same amount of salary, then Pittsburgh will move on Guerin with the idea of using him in a third line¬†- power play role. They are not going to bring him in with that cap hit unless¬†$4.5 million (not pro-rated)¬†is¬†going the other way. Seems unlikely at this point according to my sources.
9:58 p.m. РRangers still exploring a way to find room for Guerin. Philadelphia being in on Guerin seems strange. Carolina and Buffalo are not in on Guerin. Denials from Montreal. No word from Florida who is looking to add some veteran leadership and grit. 
10:23 p.m.  - Since a deal was on the table with the Capitals, i still think they remain the front runner. The Rangers are extremely interested but they need until Tuesday or Wednesday to find room for Guerin and possibly Avery.
