There has been a lot of talk this past week about Ray Shero visitiing the World Championships, with one objective at least to get Jaromir Jagr back as part of the Penguins family. In reality, the major focus is to get the franchise's second best player in history to feel comfortable being part of the Penguins family, and hopefully to lead the eventual hanging of the #68 in the rafters of the Consol Energy Center. There has been a lot of speculation about the prospect of Jagr playing for the Penguins again. Though he is 39 years old, Jagr is supposed to be in great shape, and a 6'3" 243 lb RW with some scoring touch to be added to a line with Malkin at center, and James Neal at LW would be FUN to watch for Penguins fans. Don't count on it though. First off, the Penguins don't have the room to pay Jagr more than about 2M to sign, and I personally do not think for a second that Jagr would accept that kind of pay in return for his services, he is a guy who is a lot about the money. Second, he really does not play a style that will be well recieved by Disco Dan, so despite his skill set, his style of play would likely frustrate both he and Bylsma to the point of insanity. So, Pens fans, what I hope to see is the group of you who still hate Jagr for his infamous "dying alive" quote, those who booed his every return to the Mellon Arena to remember that despite that ill advised, and frankly overblown comment, he is truly one of the top players in NHL history, currently number 9 all time in scoring, and the second best player in Penguins history, behind only 66. Crosby and Malkin may have something to say about that before their careers are over, but for now, Jagr is only behind LeMagnifique. Jagr is a guy who always hustled, and brought his A game to the post season every season. Who can forget his game tying goal in Game One of the 1991-92 Finals late in the third, where he walked out from the wall, and left four Blackhawks hung out to dry before burying a game tying goal that blew the top off of the Mellon Arena. What about the 1995 playoffs where he single handedly willed the Penguins past the top seeded Devils in the first round of the playoffs, despite being hobbled by a significant leg injury? His heart and desire could not be questioned, even if his maturity at times could. The kid won 5 Art Ross Scoring Championships! When you think about Jagr's accomplishments as a hockey player, it is amazing that we have been lucky enough to have him for his best years, along with Lemieux, and now we get Crosby and Malkin to boot. Let the following accomplishments and statistics sink in for a moment when you think of Jagr:
Jagr is one of only 24 players to be a member of the Triple Gold Club, which includes winning the Stanley Cup, IIHF World Championships, and an Olympic Gold Medal. Jagr won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins(1991-92), two IIHF World Championships (2005-10), and an Olympic Gold Medal in 1998.
His list of NHL Awards includes the Hart Trophy(MVP) in 1999, and he was nominated as a finalist also in 1995, 1998, 2000, 2001, and 2006;
The Art Ross Trophy (Scoring Champion) in 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, and 2001;
Lester B. Pearson (Players MVP) 1999, 2000, 2006;
NHL All Rookie Team 1991;
7 Time NHL First Team All-Star;
1 Time Second Team All-Star;
Other Awards include both a Gold and Bronze Medal in the Olympics and Two IIHF World Chanmpsionships.
Jagr's list of NHL records is also quite impressive includeing the following:
Most assists by a rookie in the Stanley Cup Finals in 1991 with 5;
Most regular season points by a RW in 1995-96 with 149;
Most regular season assists by a RW in 1995-96 with 87;
Most regular sseaon points by a non Canadien in a season in 1995-96 with 149;
Most all time regular season points all time by a European with 1599;
Most all time regular seaon goals by a European with 646;
Most all time regular season Overtime goals with 15;
Most consecutive 30 goal seasons with 15 from 1991-2007;
Most consecutive 70 point seasons with 15 from 1991-2007;
He has played in 1273 regular season games scoring 646 goals, 953 assists, and 1599 points , while adding 169 playoff games played, with 77 more goals, 104 assists, and 181 playoff points!
Now, where does Jagr stand in Penguins history with some key statistics? After Mario Lemieux's 85, 70 and twin 69 goal seasons, Jagr's 62 goals are the highest ever in a season for a Penguins' player. Jagr's 439 career goals as a Penguin are second only to Lemieux's 690, and his career 640 assists as a Penguin are second only again to Mario's 1,033 assists. Jagr's 149 points in 1995-96 is the second highest point total by a Penguin not named Mario Lemieux, and his career point total as a Penguin of 1,079 is second again, only to Mario Lemieux. Jagr's 110 power play goals as a Penguins is also only second to Number 66. Jagr is the all time leader in career game winning goals as a Penguin with 78 game winners, and his 12 GWG in 1995-96 is the most by a Penguin in a single season. JJ is also the Penguins career leader in plus/minus at plus 207. Jagr also is the career all time game winning goal leader in the PLAYOFFS for the Penguins with 14 playoff game winners in his time as a Penguin. He is also second all time for the Pens in playoff scoring with 147 playoff points as a member of the Penguins. Jagr is second all time to Mario Lemieux in playoff goals with 65 playoff goals to Mario's 76 playoff markers. Finally, Jagr leads the Penguins all time in even strength playoff goals with 44 to his credit, leading Mario by 4 even strength goals. As you sit and absorb all of this guy's accomplishments as a Penguin and as a professional hockey player in general, you should WANT this guy to take his rightful place in the Penguins family as an all time great. You should also raise the roof the night they raise his jersey to the rafters in the CEC. I know I will. There are few more deserving players in the world. That said, those who think that Jagr will be a Penguin next year scare me. This guy will be offered 7-9 M by teams in the KHL, and both New York and Montreal, the other two teams he would like to play for in the NHL can afford to offer him much more cash. At any rate, forgive the fact that as a young man, he was somewhat immature, and thank him for the effort and memories he gave his teammates and Pens fans!
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