After having amassed 12 consecutive All-Star Game appearances, five Art Ross trophies, two Stanley Cups and one Hart Memorial Trophy over 24 NHL seasons, it’s safe to say that Jaromir Jagr is one of the greatest to play the game.
When he left the NHL in 2017 to play for his hometown team in Czechia, it seemed like that would be the final time we’d see the legend play in North America.
Or, was it?
As free agency opened on Wednesday, Jagr aptly reminded general managers around the NHL that he was available, making a pitch for himself in the process.
“50 years old, slow, but strong and good hands,” Jagr wrote in a tweet. “Can bring experience and like to play only home games.”
Is a Jagr return to North America likely? Probably not. But is it entirely unfeasible? Also, probably not. At 50 years old, Jagr wouldn’t even be the oldest to play an NHL game — that title belongs to another legend, Gordie Howe, at age 52.
While restricting himself to half a season isn’t ideal, the promise of an NHL great would be a sure-fire way to get fans in the building. And Jagr can still put the puck in the net, as his eight goals and 19 points in 43 games with his club the Kladno Knights.
Seeing that Jagr is not only a player for Kladno, but the team owner and president as well, he also had other business to take care of Wednesday.
“As the owner of hockey club in Czech Liga — I am looking to sign a defenceman,” he wrote. “No jokes.”
Though his 100-point seasons are long behind him, and he’s clearly busy enough, perhaps it’s time to add Jaromir Jagr to the list of notable free agents.
