Jagr, reluctant all-star, keeps one-liners coming

NASHVILLE - Florida Panthers right winger Jaromir Jagr pleaded with fans not to vote for him as captain of the Atlantic Division all-star team, saying the new three-on-three format would be too taxing for someone 43 years old.

They didn't listen.

So there Jagr was, cracking self-deprecating one-liners to a swarm of reporters Friday, and talking about getting ready for Sunday's All-Star Game in Nashville.

Jagr, who will turn 44 on Feb. 15, says his Florida teammates have kept him young. He has 15 goals and 33 points this season.

"We have a lot of young guys in our dressing room, and I spend a lot of time with them," he said. "My linemates' age combined (42) is younger than me. But I like spending time with them. I don't feel bad about it."

Jagr plays on Florida's top line with left winger Jonathan Huberdeau (22 years old) and center Aleksander Barkov (20).

After he was selected as captain, Jagr tweeted: "Fans, I was afraid that 3-on-3 All-Star Game may kill me. Now, I am more afraid of fighting [enforcer] John Scott during All-Star Game; [he'll] kill me for sure."

The Czech Republic legend said he feels a lot younger than his age. How old does he feel?

"Forty two," he said with a smile.

Jagr said when you are old, you "do everything just to survive the game." When you are young, you are "excited and you are very good, but you don't even know how good you are. But when you are middle-aged, you become more selfish and think about yourself - and we don't have those kind of guys."

Jagr, who said this will be his last all-star appearance, said general managers should listen to his advice: "Don't sign the middle-[aged] guys!"

Back when he played with the Flyers, Jagr said, the Flyers were losing to Pittsburgh and then-coach Peter Laviolette addressed the players after the first period.

"He said, 'Guys, if I would bring the Cup right now into the dressing room and somebody told you that you didn't have to play any more games and you won it, would you take it?' And I guarantee nobody would say yes, because it's not about the Cup. it's about the whole year, spending it with the guys. It's about the games. You have to suffer to win. It's not about the Cup. So if somebody came to me right now and gave me the Cup, I'm not going to take it.

"You have to earn it."

Jagr's Panthers are 29-15-5 and lead the Atlantic Division.

The skills competition will be held Saturday, and Flyers center Claude Giroux will take part in the Eastern Conference accuracy-shooting challenge and in the shootout relay. He will also be a stickhandler in the skills relay.

One of the more interesting events will have Winnipeg's 6-foot-5, 260-pound Dustin Byfuglien in the Western Conference's fastest-skater competition.

Steven Stamkos, the subject of numerous trade rumors, reiterated that he wants to remain in Tampa Bay. He can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. . . . Giroux, who said he would ask Scott for an autographed stick, said he learns from the other all-stars during the weekend, especially how to take care of your body. "You learn a little bit and bring it back to your team," he said. . . . Last year, Jake Voracek tied an All-Star Game record with six points. . . . Calgary all-star Johnny Gaudreau, the pride of Carneys Point, will host a golf tournament to benefit his alma mater, Gloucester Catholic, on July 29. It will be held at Ron Jaworski's Blue Heron Pines Golf Club in Galloway, N.J.