Guerin

Guerin, who led the Oilers with 30 goals and 34 assists in 80 games last season, was a restricted free agent.

The new deal is reportedly worth $2.6 million this season and $3.1 million next season. He earned $1.5 million in 1998-99.

Guerin lost about $450,000 in salary over the 33-day holdout, but various incentive clauses might allow him to recoup that sum.

Negotiations broke down several times in the past three months, with Guerin at one point asking for a trade.

"We have stated all along that we wanted Billy back with us and although this was a difficult negotiation, both sides kept working hard to find common ground," Oilers general manager Glen Sather said. "Billy has shown his commitment to the Oilers by agreeing to a two-year deal, and I think this sends a message to everyone that we are going to put the best team we can on the ice."

The Oilers went 4-5-2 without their top scorer.

"I'm really happy he can be back, especially with all of the trade talk that was going on," Oilers captain Doug Weight said. "It was a difficult situation.

"I spoke to him last night. Again, he's just very excited to be back."

Oilers coach Kevin Lowe will assess Guerin at practice Wednesday and could insert him into the lineup against the Florida Panthers that night with Weight on the Oilers' top line.

"He was probably our top player last year," Lowe said. "It's nice getting your top player back. Certainly, if we were going to have success this year, he was going to factor into it."

Guerin, who turns 29 years old next Tuesday, becomes a restricted free agent again after the 2000-01 season.