Jaromir Jagr Portrait (Drawn by Que-ink from deviantart)
Right Winger/ #68
February 15, 1972 in Kladno, Czech Republic
6’3″/240
GP: 73
G: 19
A: 35
P: 54
+/- : 5
Contract Status: 1 year deal worth $4.5 million
Today the Dallas Stars signed yet another player after acquiring center Derek Roy from the Buffalo Sabres yesterday in exchange for Steve Ott and Adam Pardy. They signed Jaromir Jagr to a 1 year deal worth $4.5 million dollars that shocked the hockey world. It even shocked me but then I realize that Nieuwendyk is going for the rebuilding phase of the Stars and maybe the veterans like Ray Whitney and Jagr will help the youth movement. Also help Jamie Benn and the rest of the younger players. Here is the article from Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News on the Dallas Stars signing Jagr:
The Stars on Tuesday signed Jaromir Jagr to a one-year contract for $4.55 million.
Let the “old’’ jokes begin.
Jagr turned 40 on Feb. 15 and now joins fellow 40-year-old Ray Whitney in the Stars’ top six. And while that hardly seems to fit the Stars’ plan to “get younger,’’ it does allow the team to stay competitive with high-end skill and possibly mentor players such as Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson or the host of prospects who the Stars hope will be in the NHL in the next couple of seasons.
On the negative side, he’s 40 and will turn 41 next season. He also tallied just 54 points (19G, 35A) in 73 games while playing with one of the most dynamic centers in the NHL last season in Claude Giroux.
On the positive side…he’s Jaromir Jagr.
Jagr currently ranks eighth all-time in NHL scoring with 1,653 points (665G, 988A) in 1,346 games. He has seven times been named a First-Team NHL All-Star, meaning he was one of the top three forwards in the NHL those seasons. He is a first ballot Hall Of Famer.
Jagr is a left-handed right wing. He is listed at 6-3, 240, and he is a wonderful playmaker and shooter. The guess is he would fit well with either Jamie Benn or Derek Roy, and he would bring a ton to the team’s last-place power play.
In addition, he would sell at least a few tickets. Jagr has played his entire NHL career in the East with the Penguins, Capitals, Rangers and Flyers, so he would still be something of a novelty in the West. And while the Stars tried this with Eric Lindros for 49 games in 2006-07, and it didn’t work, Jagr carries with him a certain aura that could really rub off on young players _ meaning his mere presence could be helpful in the Stars’ quest to become a better team in the future.
Dallas will tell you it also wants to win now, and this gives you a potential top six of: Jamie Benn, Loui Eriksson, Michael Ryder, Ray Whitney, Derek Roy and Jaromir Jagr. That group has a formidable scoring history _ including some very good seasons in recent years.
So, is it a move to win, a move to bring in leadership to help build a bridge to the future, or just a circus sideshow designed to sell some tickets? Either way, it will probably be pretty entertaining. (Source: Dallas Morning News)
You can not help but wonder that the Dallas Stars are ready to make a move and show the entire league they are ready to go beyond and make the playoffs. Ready to win and make fans in Dallas cheer hard for this team that wants to make the playoffs. I am ready cause this team is ready to make a change and wanting to bring a winning franchise to Texas. But welcome to Dallas, Jaromir Jagr! Glad to have you a part of the Pesky Stars team.
Check out his highlights from youtube:
If you have twitter, give Jaromir Jagr a follow on twitter: @68Jagr
