Bryan Berard is coming to Flyers Camp

The Flyers have added yet another defensemen to their camp roster. Bryan Berard, a veteran who has played for six NHL teams, will be attending the Flyers training camp on a try-out basis. Berard is 31 and played for the New York Islanders last season, suiting up for 54 games and notching 5 goals and 17 assists. Berard has always been known as an offensive defenseman who can do some great things with the puck, but he is also known as someone who has issues defending his own net. He has also had numerous injury issues throughout his career, including a serious eye injury back in 2000 that nearly ended his career.

If Berard is healthy and can still play effectively, he has a good chance to make a case to be on the Flyers roster. The Flyers have a bunch of defensemen set to compete for a spot on the team, but no one is guaranteed much after Kimmo Timonen, Braydon Coburn and Randy Jones. Steve Eminger, Ossi Vaananen, Ryan Parent and Lasse Kukkonen will all fight over the remaining three spots, so there could be room for a guy like Berard. Derian Hatcher figures to be placed on injured reserve so we won't be seeing him for a while.

If he plays well, I could see Berard sticking around as a veteran presence and a strong contributor on the power play. Berard is not under contract and wasn't invited by the Flyers, so he is also showcasing his skills for other teams. If the Flyers don't sign him then someone else surely will.