Most NHL fans would prefer to see the return of 45-year-old Jaromir Jagr (who would turn 46 during the season) to the world’s top league this season, but those chances appear slimmer each day with the regular season less than two weeks away.
The second-highest scorer in NHL history behind only Wayne Gretzky, Jagr’s lack of speed may not fit into today’s game, but his strength and hockey IQ make up for it. He posted 27 goals and 66 points playing with a young group of Florida Panthers two years ago, but fell to 16 goals and 46 points last season. His possession metrics remain strong and his off-ice work ethic is undeniable, which leaves us believing he’d still be a good addition to most teams in the league.
Jagr spoke to Russian reporter Igor Eronko about his NHL status and what he may do if a contract doesn’t come his way. Don’t expect him to go to an NHL team on a professional tryout.
If no NHL team offers a contract, Jagr said Russia’s KHL is a possibility. He played 32 games for Avangard Omsk during the 2004-05 NHL lockout, and again from 2008 to 2011 when he left the NHL for three seasons.
And if Jagr signs in Russia — or anywhere in Europe — he would be eligible to play for the Czech Republic at the 2018 Olympics in February.
Jagr previously said he would retire from international hockey after the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, but was persuaded to join the Czechs at the 2015 World Championship. He decided to sit out the World Cup last September.
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