Does berard really still need to prove himself?

Question

berard has been invited to try out for the flyers during training camp. isnt this man past trying out now? this is the second year in a row he is trying out for a team...

when you look at his career, he was drafted 1st overall and won the calder if im not mistaken. and then he got the eye injury. but he came back from that, winning the masterson for dedication. he is still, IMO, a solid defenseman. you could argue his +/- sucks, but when you look at the teams hes played for (boston, columbus, toronto, new york islanders) then is it really a surprise? i mean, he put up 22 points last year and is an experienced veteran.

so why is this man trying out for teams? i think he would be a valuable, solid asset determined to help his team. i can think of plenty of teams that should be offering him contracts. i mean, if finger can ink the contract he did....

thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, the FLYERS dont have the Cap Room to sign him right now. So inviting him is a way to say.. Hey, come make the team and we will sign you after we dump some Cap! Teams do it all the time... for example.. The Wings invited Brent Sopel to camp last year and he was offered a contract at the end of the Pre-Season schedule.. just before he was to sign it Chicago came and offered him a much bigger deal so he chose to move to Chicago! It happens all the time. Other teams keep tabs on players that are at other camps that arent signed, and if they play well in the pre-season, they will steal them if possible.

Its my guess that Berard will play for someone this season! Right now teams are only looking for bargains, and bargains come in the form of a desperate player wanting to play that doesnt have a signed contract yet. The closer it gets to the season, the lower the price they can get them for.

Answer 2

ur right he is a good solid player.

lets go flyers.

Answer 3

I hear ya on this.  He's been playing for a different team each season since 2000 except for his two year stint in Columbus (with the second season only lasting 11 games for him).  Then again he hasn't played more than 58 games a season since '03-'04 with the Blackhawks.  Nevertheless, some team could definitely use him on the powerplay.  I don't see why the Thrashers or Canucks don't give him a look.  The Islander season last year shouldn't count against him, that team was horrible.