Should Flyers re-acquire Jaromir Jagr?
With the trade deadline looming ahead, could the Flyers possibly target re-acquire Jaromir Jagr from Dallas?
Should Flyers re-acquire Jaromir Jagr?
Frank Seravalli
While the NHL’s general managers convene for their annual meeting in Toronto on Wednesday, the most interesting thing is not that they are discussing the state of the game, and perhaps the possibility of adding a coach’s challenge.
It’s the fact that all 30 of them are crammed into one boardroom two weeks before the trade deadline.
The Flyers are likely not considering any foundation-shaking trades - such as moving a key, young piece - before the April 3 deadline, but a minor move may be in order.
One name which has been circulating through the rumor mill is Jaromir Jagr.
Could the Flyers possibly target re-acquiring Jagr from Dallas?
Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk is in a tough spot. The Stars (13-12-3) awoke in 11th place on Wednesday, but they’re only a point back of a playoff spot. The problem is that even 14th place Calgary is just four points back of one, too. There’s a logjam between 8th and 14th - and the Stars need to decide where they fall.
Most teams would be interested in Brenden Morrow and Derek Roy, two potential unrestricted free agents in July. Jagr, though, may be able to help a playoff-bound team just as much as a rental.
Jagr, now 41, has 18 points in 27 games. He’s cooled considerably, going without a point in four straight. Dallas loves what Jagr has provided in their young, impressionable locker room - particularly with burgeoning All-Star Jamie Benn.
His situation is not all that different. Jagr plays alongside Benn, who could be like Claude Giroux, and he’s mentoring another young Czech player in Tomas Vincour, like he did with Jake Voracek.
He has enjoyed Dallas - his first stop in the Western Conference during his Hall of Fame career - and is living in a hotel near the Stars’ practice facility in Frisco, Texas.
On his 41st birthday, Jagr was asked if he was considering retirement. He answered by saying he’d continue to play as long as he could in the NHL, equating his love of the game to marriage.
“Would you have imagined you’re going to stay with your wife that long?” Jagr told the Dallas Morning News. “Well, you love her. You’re going to stay with her as long as you can. If you don’t, there’s no reason to be with her. It’s the same thing with hockey for me. I just love the game.”
Jagr will consider re-signing there, but wants to wait and see in the summer - much like he did with the Flyers before jetting to Dallas for $4.5 million.
Jagr’s goal has always been to win the Stanley Cup. This year, Dallas is not the place to do that.
Knowing that he may eventually lose a non-commital Jagr in free agency for nothing, Nieuwendyk needs to decide whether its in the Stars’ best interest to get a draft pick in return before the deadline.
ESPN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Dallas is “undecided” on what to do with Jagr, and that it likely depends on the quality of the offers Nieuwendyk receives.
If you’re Paul Holmgren, is sending a third round pick (which could essentially end up being a late second rounder depending on where the Flyers finish) worth seeing if Jagr is exactly what the Flyers are missing?
For my money, Jagr changes everything about the way Giroux plays the game. Jagr is able to win battles along the boards, hang onto the puck and find the open man. He is strong and commands respect from defenses, even at his advanced age.
Plus, Jagr has no baggage, and is already comfortable in Philadelphia and with Giroux.
For a third round pick, if that’s the price, it’s worth experimenting whether Jagr can get the Flyers over the hump and into the playoffs. Especially for a team which has dangled draft picks like candy over the years.
For the latest updates, follow Frank Seravalli on Twitter: @DNFlyers
Do you seriously believe the Flyers should be BUYERS at the trade deadline considering their current position in the standings, which is a lot worse than the Stars', Frank? Why should they again throw a draft pick out of the window when it's already clear this year's class will be a lot deeper than last summer's?— flyerdommo- Yes, please. If anything he'll light a fire under these guys.— Richard Saunders
- This must be a joke....It's not funny. However, it might be funnier than any Rob Tornoe cartoon.— Mike Boryla
- I don't know where to begin critiziing the contridictory logic in this article...— philly thug
- Pretty sure Gagne was aquired for a conditional 3rd or 4th. I doubt you can offer a pick, whether it be the 3rd or 4th, in another deal. So it would have to be a 2nd or something for future years.— wampwamp
- Agree that it would be worth it to try for a 3rd round pick. Let's face it, the Flyers have to do SOMEthing. Jagr is a proven player, and even though he's getting up there in age, the guy can still play. And if he can spark Giroux, it would be well worth it.— mbrown3
- Jagr is 41 years old, and showed last year he was out of gas come playoff time. I know he was a great mentor to many players, but isn't that why the Flyers brought back Gagne and Knuble? I really wish Mr. Snider would stop interfering with the team and hire a GM outside the organization so we can have a fresh approach to putting a team together. We haven't won a Cup since 1975!— co
- Sure, I wish Jagr was still here. But as posted, this team should be sellers not buyers. It's not even close, this team is not a Jagr away from going far in the playoffs. They likely won't come close to making the playoffs, with or without him. Duh.— PhillySubsMac
- dumb writer writes dumb article... yet another fraud in Philly— Alycia Layn
- This comment has been deleted. — bowersbarn
- To be fair, calling Frank a "professional" writer is also kind of "dumb". There's zero reason to trade a pick for a 41 year old Jagr at this point of the season. If you want to see if he can re-kindle his magic with Giroux, do it by signing him as a free agent in July — JSaq
- The whole premise is absurd. This entire season is a complete aberration and needs to be (dis)regarded as one. The only reasonable action Holmgren should take at the deadline is to do nothing at all, keeping the picks in hand for an upcoming draft. Indeed, failing to make the playoffs would be a blessing in disguise since that entails a better draft position.
The only scenario in which I could see Holmgren doing anything is the highly unlikely one in which he's offered the sun, moon and stars for Briere or Hartnell as rentals to a team desperate to make a showing. In this off-kilter, totally abnormal season, I can't see that at all. Sit tight, do nothing, forget the playoffs and begin working on 2013-14.— 1940LaSalle - We should NOT trade for Jagr. What a stupid idea. We'd be better off doing the fire sale thingy (but keeping the young guns) and reloading for next year. NOT trading for a really old guy who ran out of gas at the end of the season last year.
Stupid.— WestonF01 - Fits right in with the Gagne..Knuble deals..bring in an over the hill ex Flyer...what a unique strategy...Old Flyers living in the past running things around her ( Homer and Clarke)..the more the merrier. There is nothing to do to fix this year it is OVER ( will be 7 points out of last playoff spot when take the ice Sunday)...if its not a move for next year and the future then make NO deals— flyers1000
- Lou Lamoriello is acknowledged by many as the best NHL GM.
He has brought back 23 former New Jersey players to the Devils' roster. http://betweenthebenches.com/2013/02/15/ponikarovsky-gives-devils-a-depthening-situation/
