Let’s churn up the rumor mill on a story heard discussed on a local radio show. It seems the long departed Jaromir Jagr was asked if he ever would consider playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins again. The answer may shock you. Jagr supposedly replied that he has still maintained a house in a Pittsburgh suburb and would love the idea of finishing his career with the Penguins.
A little history. Jagr played for the Pens for ten years from 1990 through the 2000-2001 season. Comments were made by him that he didn’t want to play in Pittsburgh anymore and knew he could get paid more elsewhere. He was traded to Washington with Frantisek Kucera for Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, Ross Lupaschuk and future considerations, on July 11, 2001, a trade that really benefited no one. He never earned more than 79 points in any of his three years in the nations capital, after having seasons with the Pens of 149, 127, and 121 points.
On January 23, 2004, Jagr was traded to NY Rangers for Anson Carter. With his stock dropping fast, this is one player who seemed to have benefited the most from the lockout. Starting fresh with the Rangers, Jagr scored 123 points in his first full year and 96 the year after.
Back to the Penguins. Jagr knew, as did the world, how financially strapped the Pens were. Owner Howard Baldwin had promised Super Mario a gazillion dollars he didn’t have to keep the magic man playing in Pittsburgh. Was Jagr, by voicing his desire to be moved, trying to save the Penguins from having to trade him and look embarrassed in doing so? Was he being ever so thankful to the organization and the Mario dude for giving him a chance and winning two Stanley Cups?
Everyone in Pittsburgh assumed he was being greedy and his comments were uncalled for. After he left, he became a player the Pens fans have always loved to boo. Could he really make a comeback and play in Pittsburgh?
OF COURSE!! Sports fans have a “love-to-hate-you, hate-to-love-you” attitude about players. We all hate the Sean Avery’s and the Darius Kasparaitis’ of the hockey world, when they are on someone else’s team. But sign them to your hometown and a hero is born. Deep in your mind you know you should still hate these guys, but you can’t anymore. “Love-to-hate-you, hate-to-love-you”.
Could you see Jaromir Jagr flying down the right wing with Crosby stride for stride? A trade involving a young gun from the Penguins might be exactly what the Rangers are looking for, someone to pay millions to, and be a part of the future. And this might be a nice piece of the puzzle for a Stanley Cup run for the Penguins? And with the new arena, some extra dollars might allow such a deal.
Boo him now while he’s still in that Rangers uniform. But seeing him in black and gold, would make most of us cheer.
