Meet Jaromir Jagr

The Thursday before free agency, I had heard Jaromir Jagr's name tossed around on various sports websites as a possible free agent the Flyers may look to sign. As a hockey fan I knew who Jagr was but I was a little skeptical when I learned that he was 39 and had spent the last 3 years playing for Avangard Omsk in the KHL over in Russia. So naturally I deflected the notion of a Jagr signing and brushed it off as a crazy rumor. But on Free Agent Friday when the it was anounced that the Flyers had signed the veteran to a one year 3.3 million dollar contract I was in shock just as a lot of Flyers fans probably were as well. But now after the dust of free agent weekend has finally settled, I think the Jagr signing makes a lot of sense. For those of you who don't know a thing about Jagr, allow me to fill you in.

Jagr was drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 1990 NHL draft. After an impressive rookie campaign in which Jaromir netted 27 goals and 30 assists, he followed with four straight years 1991-92 to 1994-95 of 30 goals or more. And in the 1995-96 season Jagr had a breakout year in which he scored 62 goals and added 87 assists for the Pens to total a career high 149 points. In his last 5 years with the Pens Jagr continued to put up huge numbers as he netted 47, 35, 44, 42 and 52 goals respectively in his final 5 years with Pittsburgh. During his time in Pittsburgh, Jagr helped the Pens win back to back Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992. Jagr was also made the All-Star team 6 times as a Penguin.

In 2001, Jagr was traded to the Washington Capitals and in his first year in the Nation's capital he scored 31 goals to go along with 48 assists. He followed with a 36 goal 41 assist performance in the 2002-03 season.

Midway through the 2003-04 season, Jagr was traded to the New York Rangers for Anson Carter. Splitting time between Washington and New York, Jagr still managed to net 31 goals and 43 assists and make his 9th All-Star game. In Jagr's next 3 years in New York he continued to put up solid numbers scoring 54, 30, and 25 goals respectively from 2006-2008. After the 2007-08 season Jagr was a free agent and when the Rangers showed no interest in signing rumors began to swirl that Jaromir could possibly go to the KHL in Russia to finish out his hockey career. The rumors became a reaility when in July 2008 Jagr signed a 2 year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL worth about 5 mill a year. Jagr then resigned with Avangard last year where he played the 2010-11 season. During his time in Russia, Jagr put up great numbers in the shortened KHL seasons. In 2008-09 Jagr alotted 25 goals and 28 assists in 55 games. The next year Jagr scored 22 goals and 20 assists and last year for Avangard Jagr scored 19 goals and 31 assists.

With his 1 year 3.3 million dollar deal with the Flyers, Jaromir Jagr is back in the NHL ready to prove to the world that he can still play and compete. Although he is 39 years old, Jagr has played the last 3 years in shortened KHL seasons so he should be relatively fresh. And as a veteran of the game, I don't see Jagr having any trouble adjusting back to the NHL pace. I predict Jagr to be a 20 plus goal scorer easily for the Flyers this season.

There is something peculiar about this Jagr signing. In short I almost feel like the Flyers are getting a steal. They are paying a reasonable price for a guy who has the ability to explode and have a breakout year even at the age of 39. If Jagr has a great year, Holmgren and the Flyers are going to look like geniuses. But if he falls flat on his face and is a bust, everyone is going to point fingers as to why they didn't resign Leino or sign another free agent. But like I said before I have a good feeling about the Jagr signing, and I can't wait for this season to see how it all plays out.