Let's be honest here: We wanted Jagr not because he was Jagr, but because we needed some help on the wings.
So it really didn't matter who it was that was coming. the reason why we wanted him was because we thought he'd come cheap and put up goals and points on the PP with our star centers.
So no, we didn't want Jagr. We wanted a winger. Jagr doesn't consider himself "a" winger, he considered himself THE winger. He wanted too much and wasn't getting it here.
“It’s not about the money. I would play for the league minimum just to have a chance to join Mario Lemieux’s team once again.”
1.3 million dollars later
“It’s not about the money. I would play for the league minimum just to have a chance to join Mario Lemieux’s team once again.”
1.3 million dollars later
And...?
You mean to tell me you've never made promises that you've broken? And you mean to tell me you wouldn't break a promise for an extra million dollars? Come on...
Let's be honest here: We wanted Jagr not because he was Jagr, but because we needed some help on the wings.
So it really didn't matter who it was that was coming. the reason why we wanted him was because we thought he'd come cheap and put up goals and points on the PP with our star centers.
So no, we didn't want Jagr. We wanted a winger. Jagr doesn't consider himself "a" winger, he considered himself THE winger. He wanted too much and wasn't getting it here.
In all honesty, IF I did actually want Jagr back it woudl've been purely for nostalgic reasons, as it would've been cool to see him end his career where it all started. I really don't see how a 39 year old who has spent the last couple of years being a point per game player in Russia would've really improved our situation on the wings all that much. Lets face, most people here that were excited of the prospect or bringing back Jagr were excited because it was JAGR.
As for his press conference, it no longer surprises me as to how much of a tool he can be. Now saying that the main reason he didn't choose to come back is because he thought Pens fans "didn't want him back" due to how we used to boo him when he left is rather hilarious. We started a "Jagr watch" for weeks leading up to deadline day, yet Pens fans somehow didn't want him back? Of course, signing with our most hated rivals instead will definitely put you back in our good graces.
You mean to tell me you've never made promises that you've broken? And you mean to tell me you wouldn't break a promise for an extra million dollars? Come on...
Plus that statement is ambiguous as it comes
When you've already made upwards of 100 million during your pro career? No, I wouldn't break that promise. Especially not when you publicly make those kinds of promises. You're essentially toying with the minds of an entire organization and fanbase.
When you've already made upwards of 100 million during your pro career? No, I wouldn't break that promise. Especially not when you publicly make those kinds of promises. You're essentially toying with the minds of an entire organization and fanbase.
What if you were playing in the KHL for Ak Bars Kazan?
The NHL didn't draft you...but this team in the KHL gave you a chance. You showed off and did really well, then an NHL team calls you and wants to give you a nice contract. You have an existing contract with ABK....would you bail??
Malkin bailed on Metallurg Magnitogorsk...and he has his whole history there....his father worked for the steel company that sponsors that team. Where was his loyaltly? Nobody criticizes that.
I'm not defending Jagr..I think he's an a$$...I had hoped he wasn't, but that was pretty much me being a fanboy . But I can see his priorities being about Kladno.
Now put him in your shoes...
You're 38..you go back to the KHL after dwindling in the NHL (for whatever reason)....would you go back to Ak Bars Kazan for $1.3M less?
I don't think you'd care about the KHL...you'd be thinking of what you could do with the extra $1.3M back home in Montreal....fans be damned.
What if you were playing in the KHL for Ak Bars Kazan?
The NHL didn't draft you...but this team in the KHL gave you a chance. You showed off and did really well, then an NHL team calls you and wants to give you a nice contract. You have an existing contract with ABK....would you bail??
Malkin bailed on Metallurg Magnitogorsk...and he has his whole history there....his father worked for the steel company that sponsors that team. Where was his loyaltly? Nobody criticizes that.
I'm not defending Jagr..I think he's an a$$...I had hoped he wasn't, but that was pretty much me being a fanboy . But I can see his priorities being about Kladno.
Now put him in your shoes...
You're 38..you go back to the KHL after dwindling in the NHL (for whatever reason)....would you go back to Ak Bars Kazan for $1.3M less?
I don't think you'd care about the KHL...you'd be thinking of what you could do with the extra $1.3M back home in Montreal....fans be damned.
There's a considerable difference between a 20 yr old kid who's just starting his career and is being offered a chance to play in the best pro league in the world, and a 38 yr old vet who has already done it all (and MADE it all) and was toying with the minds of the fanbase where he spent his best years. If Jagr had no real inclination to return to Pittsburgh then he should've just made that clear when he was initially approached about it instead of going on about how he'd return in a heart beat for the league minimum because he owes it to Mario and blah blah blah. I personally think he was deliberately looking to give a big "F U" to Pens fans and the organization as a whole by signing with Philly of all teams.
Jagr signed for 3.3 instead of the 2.2 we offered. 1.1 Million dollars stood between him and reconciling with the fans of his original team. Not that it means much but we do pay their salaries (sort of). I would have loved to have Jagr back on the team for one year, see what happens and hey if we win a cup amazing he goes down in history and its fairy tale ending, lose and it's hey atleast he came back and showed us some character and he tried. Now he took 1.1 million more to go to a team that just gutted its roster by subtracting 3 of its top 5 (Richards 66, Carter 66, Leino 53) scorers last yr and replaced them with Ilya Bryzgalov, Brayden Schenn (2 but only 8 games), Wayne Simmonds 30, Jakub Voracek 46, Sean Couturier, Maxime Talbot 21, Andreas Lilja and Jaromir Jagr. Schenn seems a lock to be a great player but will it be this yr? Is Simmonds gonna blow up and break out this yr? is Voracek going to raise his play up to his expectations this yr? Jag-off says he wants to bring a cup back to Philly? So he comes to a team that just overhauled its roster? And all this for 1.1 million dollars... more power to you Mr. Jag-off but you get no love from me here. The only problem I have is the Pens organization is too classy to not retire his number in our rafters, and when this ass clown gets into the HHOF what team will he retire with? I'm hoping not the pens.
Well bottom line is, he's a Flyer, we can't change that, he thought it would be the best thing for him and that's the choice he has made. The Penguins pulled their offer because his agent was toying with teams trying to create a bidding war for him.
We really can't be mad at Jagr, even though he said the thing about signing for league minimum, that was probably just talk, he probably thought at the time that the Penguins would never want him back, then we did and he wanted money, you can't blame him, he's going to be 39, and he's making $3.3 million. That's pretty good for him, if Shero ponied up that kind of money, one or more of our UFA's wouldn't have been resigned.
Even though I like Jagr as a player, and wanted him back on the Pens, I am glad we went with Steve Sullivan, he's faster and has a better personality, he's not egotistical like Jagr is. And we got him at more than half the money Jagr is making. Plus, he is a RH shot, can't go wrong with that on the Penguins.
Well bottom line is, he's a Flyer, we can't change that, he thought it would be the best thing for him and that's the choice he has made. The Penguins pulled their offer because his agent was toying with teams trying to create a bidding war for him.
We really can't be mad at Jagr, even though he said the thing about signing for league minimum, that was probably just talk, he probably thought at the time that the Penguins would never want him back, then we did and he wanted money, you can't blame him, he's going to be 39, and he's making $3.3 million. That's pretty good for him, if Shero ponied up that kind of money, one or more of our UFA's wouldn't have been resigned.
Even though I like Jagr as a player, and wanted him back on the Pens, I am glad we went with Steve Sullivan, he's faster and has a better personality, he's not egotistical like Jagr is. And we got him at more than half the money Jagr is making. Plus, he is a RH shot, can't go wrong with that on the Penguins.
I would have been happy either way. Jagr coming back would have been a better story, but even with injury concerns, I doubt that Sullivan will be that much of a downgrade from Jagr when all the points are added together at the end of the year. I saw Jagr as good for maybe 25 goals and 65 points on Crosby's wing. I see Sullivan as maybe good for 20 goals and 55 or so points in a similar role. The extra money we saved will be very welcome at the trade deadline.
As for the rest? Meh. Jagr is one of the greatest players ever at the tail end of his career. He is incapable of saying smart things, but always can be counted on to say some dumbass thing. This is no exception and admit it, is anyone here surprised? He will be boo'd even louder, and fold like a tent like he always did when he got boo'd. The Flyers are not as good a team as they were last year, in my opinion, and it will show. Jagr does not really seem to care about the better chance to win though, and that is his perogative. The Pens did pretty well with their plan B though.
The Sullivan signing could be one of the best ever under Shero if he can stay healthy and his RHS presence and ability to run the left boards sparks a dangerous Pens PP.
@SlavaMalamud Slava Malamud
Jagr: "Didn't want to go on a team where things were set and there are stars who have people they like to play with" #Flyers
What does that even mean? Nothing is set with the Pens. Crosby uncertainty, Staalkin, Kennedy is or isn't top 6 material, young guys, health issues... wtf.
What does that even mean? Nothing is set with the Pens. Crosby uncertainty, Staalkin, Kennedy is or isn't top 6 material, young guys, health issues... wtf.
It means the Pittsburgh thing is firmly in Jagr's head. Right where I want it to be. He should be focused on his return to the NHL and his role on the Cryers, but instead he is moping that we may no longer love him. Boo friggin' Hoo Jagr. I remember when he came here while playing for the Caps and Rags, and more often than not absolutely sucked most of those games as the boos hurt his poor little feelings. I never boo'd him thinking it was stupid. But face it, unlike Crosby who rises to the boos and makes the other team pay more often than not (is there another team that Crosby has tortured more over the years than the whining booing Cryer fans?) Jagr folds like a tent.
These quotes are like music to my ears as they likely are predictors of what a moping Jagr will be like when he visits our arena.
“It’s not about the money. I would play for the league minimum just to have a chance to join Mario Lemieux’s team once again.” 
. But I can see his priorities being about Kladno. 
