Flyers sign Jaromir Jagr, defenseman, center
Daily News Flyers blog
Flyers sign Jaromir Jagr, defenseman, center
The Flyers have made their trademark splash in free agency.
Jaromir Jagr is coming to Philadelphia.
On Friday, the Flyers officially announced on their Twitter feed that they have agreed to a one-year deal with Jagr that will be worth $3.3 million.
Jagr, 39, is 9th all-time on the NHL's points list. He has spent the last three years playing in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. Jagr, who has made his mark with two other teams in the Atlantic division, has 1599 points in 1273 NHL games.
The Flyers appeared to be the mystery team in the hunt for Jagr's services, who arrived in New York on Wednesday prior to the start of free agency. The Penguins had offered Jagr a 1-year deal worth $2 million but rescinded their offer on Friday morning. Pittsburgh released the following statement:
"We made what we thought was a very fair contract offer to Jaromir on Tuesday, based on his stated interest of returning to the Penguins," Pittsburgh general manager Ray Shero said. "We made our best offer from the start, given our salary-cap structure, in an attempt to facilitate a deal. But now, after several days, with an extended time frame for making a decision, and additional teams getting involved, we have decided to move in a different direction."
Detroit was also interested in Jagr but took their offer off the table on Friday as well.
The Flyers also have announced three other signings, picking up defenseman Andreas Lilja, agreeing to terms with Jakub Vorachuk, acquired last week in the Jeff Carter trade with Columbus and signing center Maxime Talbot from the Pittsburgh Penguins to a five-year deal worth $9 million.
Lilja, who will turn 36 in 2 weeks, is expected to be the Flyers' sixth defensemen and fill the void left when Sean O'Donnell agreed to a 1-year deal with Chicago earlier today.
Lilja had a goal and six assists in 52 games for Anahaim last season and was a minus-15. He also has played for Los Angeles, Florida and Detroit.
Voracek agreed to a 1-year, $2.25 million deal with the Flyers.
Talbot, 27, had eight goals, 13 assists and 66 penalty minutes for the Penguins last season and should help provide depth up the middle lost with the trades of Mike Richards and Carter. Talbot also is a strong penalty killer.
Talbot had folk hero status in Pittsburgh after scoring both goals in the Penguins' Game 7 victory that won the Stanley Cup in 2009. He also was heavily involved in charitable endeavors in the city.
And as the Pittsburgh Tribune Review recounted, many Flyers fans might have this memory of Talbot:
The lasting image of Talbot for Penguins fans likely came in Game 6 of the 2009 Eastern Conference quarterfinals when, with the Penguins trailing Philadelphia, 3-0, he picked a fight with the Flyers' Daniel Carcillo and lost. Then, while skating to the penalty box, Talbot motioned for the Philadelphia fans to be quiet. The Penguins won the game, 5-3, and ultimately the Stanley Cup.
With these signings, the Flyers have about $1 million left in cap space, but they could exceed the cap now and get under by October. Salaries for Michael Leighton and Ian Laperriere also likely will come off the cap.
Also, Brian Boucher has signed in Carolina for 2 years and $1.9 million.
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Can't understand why they would give Jagr 3.3M at all.— JohnnyThunderCak- Funny how the Red Wings and Pens tried to beat the Flyers announcement of the signing of Jagr by claiming they were withdrawing from the running (meanwhile, they simply lost in their bid for Jagr). Just admit it.— Truth B. Told
- ugh ! he's why i hated the penguins in the 90's....WTF homer ?? He's 39 and hasn't played in the NHL in 3 years. He's not the same guy back then. What a waste of $$$.— vorxty
- This is their big splash? Over paying for a 40 year old? Hope this doesn't rule out Leino. Voracek signed for 1 year $2.25 mil. Good number, but only 1 year? What gives?— sla6yer
- Where were you last Thursday and Friday? Man, you guys are tough to please. — sklandog
Comment removed.- Nearly a point per game, but I don't know what to think. Patrick Thoresen was second in scoring last year. It's a notoriously low scoring league, but I don't know how to translate KHL play to the NHL. The best we can hope for is 20-odd goals and as little drama as possible. I don't really have a problem with the dollar value of the contract, but couldn't be more thrilled it's only a one-year deal. You can't waive away contracts for players who sign after 35 like you can others. — sklandog
- I love this!— Hank Moody
- Comment removed.
- Glad we didn't put an offer in to Stamkos, we would have missed out on Jagr...yes, that's sarcasm.— booman55
- this is the leader in the clubhouse for the dumbest move by a Philly team in 2011. — coloradoeagle
- This is awful would have much rather had gagne...still need to sign simmonds too.— shanehockey28
- He looked really good in the Olympics last year playing against NHLers.— dcm220
- Jagr in KHL over 3 years: About 1 point/game. 155 games 146 points— sla6yer
