Flyers sign Jagr, Talbot; deal Versteeg
The Philadelphia Inquirer Blog - Flyers Report: Broad Street Bull
Flyers sign Jagr, Talbot; deal Versteeg
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Didn't the Flyers say they wanted to get younger?
On Friday, they signed 39-year-old winger Jaromir Jagr, the five-time NHL scoring champion who played the last three seasons in Russia.
The Penguins and Red Wings dropped out of the bidding earlier in the day.
Jagr signed a one-year deal for $3.3 million _ reportedly $1.3 million more than Pittsburgh offered.
The Flyers later signed another ex-Penguin, center Max Talbot, to a five-year deal that totals $9 million. The 27-year-old Talbot had eight goals and 13 assists for Pittsburgh last season.
By all accounts, Talbot is a character guy and a lockerroom leader.
Later in the day, the Flyer sent Kris Versteeg to Florida for second and third-round draft picks. The move could have opened room to re-sign Ville Leino, but the winger soon signed a six-year $27 million deal with Buffalo ($4.5 million per year).
The Flyers also inked RFA Jacub Voracek for one season at $2.25 million.
After a brilliant NHL career, Jagr went to Russia's KHL the last three seasons. In his last NHL season, he had 25 goals and 46 assists for the Rangers in 2007-08.
Yes, the Flyers would be thrilled with that kind of production.
That seems like a longshot.
Last year, Jagr had 19 goals and 31 assists in the KHL, then had five goals in nine games for the Czech Republic National Team in the IIHF World Championships.
The Flyers also signed another past-his-prime player, 6-3, 220-pound Andreas Lilja, a soon-to-be 36-year-old defenseman who had one goal and six assists for Anaheim last season and was minus-15.
Free-agent Sean O'Donnell signed with Chicago.
Because the Flyers do not have many big bodies at center, it seemed to make UFA Michal Handzus an interesting option. A former Flyer, the 6-foot-4, 219-pound Handzus was high on the Flyers' FA list. Ditto Erik Cole, Jamie Langenbrunner, Michael Ryder, Simon Gagne and John Madden.
Apparently, all were too expensive.
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The Flyers were just named the MOST MEDIOCRE TEAM in all sports. Not the worst, not the best, just mediocre. But the sheep will sellout the arena.- ......and I'm done. We just went from a Mike Richards / Cindy Crosby matchup in the ECF to some strange trainwreck of a squad that includes the likes of Jagirl. When do the Sixers start?— Rick Flair
- The Flyers could have had both Jaromir Jagr and Peter Forsberg
on the same team when they were rookies if they had been smart -
instead they get them both when they are over the hill
and on the downside of their careers -
but I think Forsberg had more left in the tank than Jagr is going to.— phillydude - WHY?!?!?!— CrazyIvan
- YUCK. Jagr for 3.3 Million? He has been out the NHL for 3 years. He is pushing 40. This won't turn out well.— Ferrell31
- im sorry we gave up our two best players and guys like carbomb and powe for this 40 year old pansy are u serious what a joke he is old enough to be giroux or jvrs dad terrible !! this off season set us back 3 years— broadst.17
- Jagr a Flyer...just not right. Would it be wrong to hope the opposing team slams him into the boards?— Flylin
- Jagr? JAGR??? Is Matthew Barnaby not available and we just need the next best thing? Might as well get Ty Domi while we're at it.— Edward Creed
- toph314: handzus and new d-man lilja (3 years 1.7 per)— otown philly fan
- I'm all for being positive, but unless the Flyers own a DeLorean to take them back in time, we're not seeing the Stanley Cup for a while.
- Jagr is done. This is a ridiculous signing and a waste of money. What a stupid franchise. The Flyers are never going to be able to compete against elite teams like the Bruins until Holmgren is gone.— Freedom Fries
- An organization w/o a plan; reactive management get's a new meaning almost every other year............been that way since Keith Allen left and Ed's puppets took over (16/17).........what a joke!!— Northcountry
- Mike Richards is chuckling— flyerfan55
- Jagr-Giroux-JVR will be one of highest scoring lines in hockey. Bank on it. I hate Handzus. Do not sign him.— MichaelZoe
