Sharks Acquire Bill Guerin for Nieminen, Barriball and First Round Pick

[Smerri1029]

San Jose Sharks Executive Vice President and General Manager Doug Wilson announced today that the club has acquired right wing Bill Guerin from the St. Louis Blues in exchange for left wing Ville Nieminen, prospect Jay Barriball and a first round selection in the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, previously acquired from the New Jersey Devils.

The 14-year NHL veteran departs the Blues leading the team in points (47), goals (28), power play goals (7), game winning goals (6) and shots (189). He notched his seventh career hat trick on Feb. 13 against the Sharks in San Jose. His is currently tied for 21st in the NHL in goals.

Guerin, 36, has posted 710 points (356 goals, 354 assists) in 1010 career NHL games with St. Louis, Dallas, Boston, Edmonton and New Jersey.

“I’m thrilled,” said Guerin. “I am really excited about it, This is one of those teams that was on my radar. I am very happy to be going there.”

“You have certain expectations and places that you want to go so it was easy (to waive the no trade clause). In the end, the chance to get in the playoffs and compete for the Stanley Cup, that’s what you want. When it was presented to me, it was a no brainer.”

Among all U.S.-born players in NHL history, Guerin ranks eighth in goals, 28th in assists and 21st in points.

“They are a good, young talented team that is coached well. With Joe (Thornton) and Patrick (Marleau) as the top two centers, it is just a great situation for me. It is an organization that is committed to winning.”

In addition, Guerin has made 11 appearances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, registering 48 points (28-20=48) in 96 games. The Worcester, Massachusetts native won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 1995, posting three assists, including the game-winner, in the series-clinching win against Detroit.

Guerin appeared in his fourth career All-Star Game this season (2006, 2004, 2003, 2001), where he posted two assists and a +4 plus/minus rating. He also has represented the United States at the Winter Olympics in 2006, 2004 and 1998 and at the World Cup of Hockey in 1996 and 2002.

Guerin was originally selected by New Jersey in the first round (5th overall) of the 1989 NHL Entry Draft.

Nieminen was acquired by the Sharks last season from the New York Rangers. In 30 games this season, he posted two points (one goal, one assist) and 14 penalty minutes. The native of Tampere, Finland has 117 points (48 goals, 69 assists) in 371 career games with Colorado, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Calgary, the New York Rangers and San Jose.

Barriball was selected by San Jose in the seventh round (203rd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft. He is currently playing for the University of Minnesota as a freshman with 36 points (16 goals, 20 assists).

[K_Oliwa]

Supposed to be the Sharks

[Steiny44]

TSN reports Bill Guerin has been Traded to San Jose. Unknown on what San Jose gave up.

[jayc948]

Possible 3-way deal...

[anti_shark]

Thorton and Guerin on the same line again? Nasty....

Freakin Sharks....

[E_S_A_D]

Ridiculously great pick up for the Sharks. Wings missed out on that one, and Kenny Holland needs to be evaluated for his 'rope n' dope' trading tactics.

[Blouin]

Great pickup for someone else's pick and a non roster player

[TheGouch23]

boy sharks are really going for it. kudos for two quality pickups in rivet and guerin, they'll have some real playoff grit come stanley time, but more importantly, grit that can score and defend.

[bustoff]

Another #1, I wonder who the other player will be. I'm gonna miss Guerin though.

[Mike Kole]

It's great to add another power forward, but really, the Sharks top need has been veteran blueliners. This need was addressed with the Rivet deal, but even still, here's the Sharks' blueline:

McLaren - Ehrhoff
Hannan - Carle
Vlasic - Rivet

Rob Davison and Doug Murray won't see much ice anymore, and in the playoffs, I'm fine with that. Vlasic and Carle have plenty of talent, but they're rookies. The Sharks had rookie Josh Gorges logging huge minutes last playoff, and it hurt badly. Gorges' turnover led to the Edmonton goal that turned that series around in the Oilers' favor.

The Mark Bell trade was a total bust. The guy has provided nothing. Guerin will bump Rissmiller or Pavelski from the lineup, which is a definite upgrade, but it just doesn't address the weak blueline.

[Blues 34]

Originally Posted by bustoff

Another #1, I wonder who the other player will be. I'm gonna miss Guerin though.

I heard on a STL radio station that it was Ville Niemenen. That doesnt make much sence. I havent seen it anywhere else or heard it from someone that I trust so hopefully that is bull****.

[Isles4life]

San Jose made a nice move here. Their scoring depth is now even deeper by adding Guerin. Nieminen won't be missed, and I haven't heard anything about this Barriball kid, although he looks like he has respectable numbers. The first rounder, which will be late anyway, is obviously the key point, but I would've expected more for Guerin to be honest.

[bustoff]

As far as Barriball goes, I guess they saw enough of him while seeing how Eric Johnson was doing at Minn. U. Must be some upside to him. Niemenen, I could care less as he just takes up a roster space (Kings?).

[Mike Kole]

Unloaded Nieminen? That just improved the trade in my estimation. Good! Let's the Blues have him sulk around the 4th line/press box.

[Snipes19]

I'm going to miss Guerin in a Blues uni. He was an awesome player. Sharks fans, you just got yourself a very good hockey player with speed, toughness, a rocket for a shot, and more. He had it all, but I knew he was going to be traded.

With Thornton, Cheechoo, Marleau, and Guerin, the Sharks team (especially their top 2 lines) will be AMAZING. I mean holy crap. They have some of the best power forwards in the game now with Thornton, Guerin, and even Marleau. They are all very big, but they still have a ton of skill.
Guerin can play anywhere on the powerplay. He's big, so he can stand in front of the net, he has a rocket of a shot, so he can play on the point AND along the boards, or he could stand in the slot. He is a valuable player, and you guys will like him. He's a lot better than Tkachuk (I'm comparing them since they were the two big names traded from the Blues), so you gguys should be happy. Guerin plays well in the playoffs too, unlike Tkachuk. The Sharks are definitely a team to lookout for now. I wish Guerin were still on the Blues, but hey, we might even sign him again in the offseason, because I think he liked it here in STL.

Not a bad trade for the Blues either. We get another first round pick, so we now have THREE first-rounders in the 2007 draft. Plus we got a good prospect from SJ, so we will have a ton of good prospects within our organization. And Ville Nieminen, I kind of like him. He's a pest, but he's really tough, and I think the Blues need someone like him. Now our team just got even tougher!

But like I said, watch out for the Blues in the future, because we will have a lot of good prospects. The future is bright for us Blues fans, and that's why I really like having John Davidson in control of this team, because he will make our team good for the future. He only makes SMART deals. He knows what he's doing, so don't worry Blues fans.