Report: Flames have looked at signing Jaromir Jagr

Aug 22 2017, 11:09 pm

Jaromir Jagr in a Flames jersey?

They’ve (reportedly) looked into it.

“I know some teams that have talked and taken a look at it,” said Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman in an interview with the NHL Network on Monday. “I think Calgary has been one that has kind of looked at it. One of his former coaches, Glen Gulutzan, is coaching up there.”

Gulutzan was Jagr’s head coach during his one partial season in Dallas in 2012-13.

Jagr, a living legend, is still without an NHL team. Despite his advanced age (45), that’s surprising, given how productive he’s been into his 40s.

The future Hall of Famer scored 46 points last season with the Florida Panthers, which is good production. That would have put him ahead of fellow Czech Mikael Frolik, who had 44 points for the Flames last season.

“From what I hear, I think [Jagr is] patient enough to wait for the right opportunity because if it doesn’t come in the NHL, maybe it comes overseas. Maybe he goes and plays in the Olympics. Or maybe he starts, as he’s talked about, in his local team from the Czech League, and comes back somewhere during the year.”

Friedman added that there was a rumour about the Anaheim Ducks being interested, though he’s told that’s not the case.

“Teams are waiting to see what he eventually decides to do.”

The silver lining for Jagr is that if he doesn’t play in the NHL, he can have one more shot at playing for an Olympic gold medal. If he doesn’t get a chance with a contender, perhaps he sees playing overseas and one last shot to play in the Olympics as his best option.

If he does give the Flames a shot, Jagr would clearly bring experience to a young team. But would he slow them down? Good question.

Calgary is deep at forward, which causes into question where Jagr would fit in. But perhaps that’s a good thing.

Jagr wouldn’t have to be on a top line. He’s slow of foot, which concerns teams, but he could be buried on a third or fourth line at even strength. Jagr is still effective on the power play where speed isn’t an issue, so perhaps a fourth line/first unit power play ice time split isn’t such a crazy idea.

If he’ll go for it.

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