Saturday, July 2, 2011

Remembering Jagr

Yesterday it was announced that Jaromir Jagr, formerly of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals and New York Rangers, signed with the Philadelphia Flyers for one year and will make about $3 million for the upcoming 2011-2012 season.  This announcement may have gone unnoticed on the first day of National Hockey League free agency, which is massively less popular in the States than the NFL, MLB or NBA free agency boom.  Jagr turned 39 in February and is still capable of becoming a significant piece to a NHL playoff team.  Recently Mark Recchi, Dave Andreychuk and Ray Bourque - to name a few - defied the age barrier and served key roles to their team's Stanley Cup glory.  Youthful exuberance is important, but so is veteran wisdom and timely skill. 

When Jagr plotted a return to the NHL some two weeks back, there was a significant amount of coverage from the the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about Jags dusting off his black and gold sweater for one last go-around in the Steel City.  I, for one, was against such an acquisition.  On the surface, Jagr's puck possession skills have declined and his tendency for more physical play are not the supreme fit for the current corp of Penguins.  Unfair or not, Jagr was always in the shadow of Mario Lemieux in the eyes of every Penguins fan.  Lemieux is still the franchise, worshiped - and no, that's not too lofty of praise - by everyone in town for saving the Penguins on three separate stints.  When Jagr arrived on the scene in 1990, the comparisons were everywhere.  He dazzled us with his stickwork, surprised us with his speed and ultimately made a name for himself as a scoring machine.  For 11 seasons, he was as durable and determined of a superstar as there was in the league.  We religiously followed from his upbringing through his prime and, unfortunately, until his departure.

Yet, I cannot recall a sports figure in my life that did so much for my memory bank and fandom suddenly just disappearing from my attention or relevance in such a short time.  When Jagr was nearing free agency in 2001, you could probably poll 1000 Pittsburghers asking if they thought Jagr would remain a Penguin.  At least 990 of them would have said "no" and of those 990, 980 of them knew he would look for a bigger deal.  Jagr leaving, though, was different than Bobby Bonilla, Barry Bonds, or Neil O'Donnell choosing the greed over the loyalty.  For one, the instant those three stars left, everyone wished for a "less-than-promising" career or outcome to their chosen destination.  For another, there was genuine hope that each would consider remaining in a Pittsburgh uniform since each was so close to a championship. 

Jagr had his two titles and never was portrayed as needing to win a Stanley Cup on his own to validate his self-worth as a player.  Lemieux and he were as special a duo as the league had seen since Gretzky and Messier.  When he became a Capital, the people in Pittsburgh didn't feel scorn or betrayal or remorse.  By this time, we all knew the drill.  A ultra-talented player needed to be paid and this wasn't the city or ownership that was about to open the checkbooks.

The biggest difference with Jagr, though, was that we didn't want him to fail (or succeed...don't get me wrong.)  We just removed him from our attention. 

Even today, I can still envision Jags dancing in the offensive zone during the Stanley Cup years of 1991 and 1992 and torching the likes of the Caps, Rangers and Blackhawks to the tune of overtime winners and improbable shot-making.  Jagr etched one of my greatest childhood memories on an April Sunday afternoon in 1999.  At my grandmother's with cousin Scotty, Uncle T and my sister Christa, we were mesmerized into hoping the Pens would prolong their first round series with the favored Devils in this game six grudge match.  Undermanned and up against the proverbial wall, Jagr unleashed one of the most impressive 10-minute stretches of hockey that I could remember.  If you are a fan of hockey, don't like the Devils, or enjoy Mike Emrick, you'll enjoy this.

Now Jagr is off to Philadelphia on the coattails of the largest contract offered to him.  We all agree that it's more than difficult to root for the Flyers and most Penguin fans will have added ire toward Jagr for turning his back on Lemieux and his NHL origins AND choosing a division nemesis.  But when we take the time to process Jagr's decision, this is perfect.  Pittsburgh does not have to wrestle with the "days of yore" and Jagr can start fresh in a league that, for the most part, has forgotten how special he was.

Do I want Jagr to succeed?  Of course not; he's a Flyer.  But it will be fun seeing just how much he has left in the tank and if he makes a true impact on a team that's in the midst of severe changes.  He may win another scoring title or take the Fly Guys deep into the playoffs, but I like the memories I have of Jagr and am glad I don't have to save more space in the memory for his second stint with Penguins.

(If you want to hear Lemieux try to coax Jagr back to Pittsburgh, have a listen...)
Those were the days...

4 comments:

grimjon said...

I have to say that I have ZERO idea what the Flyers are doing this off season. The deals to trade Richards and Carter seemed keyed to shed salary so they could bring on Bryzgalov, and they netted some good young prospects and picks in return. But I think they overpaid for their goalie. And bringing on Jagr and Max Talbot in free agency sorta smacks of desperation. Are they going youthful with Giroux and Van Riemsdyk or are they an "Old Pens Home?" One thing is for certain, they won't be the same Flyers as last year.

Scoomies said...

Tchou, good stuff so far. I wasn't surprised that Jagr didn't come back. For nostalgia's sake it would have been nice to see him come back. Lemieux & Jagr, Crosby & Malkin, the opening day frenzy could have been intriguing and the PR would have been through the roof in my opinion. But at the end of the day, getting Jagr wouldn't have made sense and I think the best he will do is maybe 15 goals and a fistful of assists. The Penguins farm system has done wonders in solidifying the team and I think that is the Penguins future, not a one year deal on Jagr. $2million spent on Conner or Jeffery (both of which are free agents) would be much better than Jagr. That's my 2 cents. Again good stuff, keep it up.

Unknown said...

Jon - I, too, have no idea what the Flyers are doing, but I'm happy they're doing it and making the Kings more of an Eastern team. Talbot is revered for his two game 7 goals in Detroit, but he is barely a third-line talent.

Scoomies - post guest commentary at all times. Great points about Connor and Jeffrey - I hope they both stay healthy for the 11-12 year - experience is invaluable.

Pops said...

There is only one way to remember Jagr; circling around the Blackhawks then scoring. Oh yeah his banners looked good in the Civic Area too.

My Musical Tribute to Jags
Bye Bye So Long Farewell auf Wiedersehen good bye (Sound of Music)