UPLIFTING SHOT OF JAGR
Jaromir Jagr’s first practice as a Calgary Flame on Thursday was a needed boost for the team coming off a season-opening loss to the rival Edmonton Oilers. While the NHL legend says he’s not quite game ready, “Hopefully, it’s going to come back quick.”
Asked if perhaps Kris Versteeg should grow a beard to match the formidable facial hair of linemate Jaromir Jagr and himself, Sam Bennett came up with an easier solution.
“Maybe (Versteeg) and I should both grow out our mullets,” he suggested, in mock search of increased unity.
“Not me,” said Versteeg, insisting he last sported some business in the front and a party in the back in Grade 1.
“It was a heck of a haircut. I wondered why not too many people liked me, and that’s probably why. That’s a look only Patrick Kane in the playoffs, Brandon Saad and Jagr can pull off.”
Given the nightmarish start to the Calgary Flames season one night earlier, Jagr’s first practice with his ninth NHL team came at a perfect time.
It provided the perfect distraction for a team that would otherwise have spent the day wallowing in a 3-0 loss to Connor McDavid and Co. that saw the Oilers out-shoot Calgary 45-26 and dominate in every aspect of the game.
“For sure,” said Bennett when asked about the 45-year-old rock star providing a welcome diversion. “(Wednesday) night is something we want to forget about. Learn from it and move on.
“Definitely having Jags here is a new focus, and I think it’s good for our team.”
Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan agreed, but not before Versteeg explained why Jagr was still on the ice well after the rest of the lads packed it in.
“We treat him like a rookie, so we made him fill the water bottles and pick up pucks,” Versteeg said, laughing. “He’s packing our bags afterwards.”
Fact is, the man with the legendary work ethic was sucking wind as part of several extra skating drills.
“Funny how you play all those games in the league and you still get a little bag skate when you miss training camp,” said a chuckling Gulutzan, who said Jagr’s first game action is very much up in the thin mountain air.
“He said he’s not feeling great. I thought he looked good. He didn’t think so. We’ll see where he’s at, and that’s going to be up to him because he knows best. The good news is, we have another practice.”
That was excellent news to Jagr, who doesn’t think Saturday’s home opener will include him.
“Hopefully it’s just the air,” said Jagr, when asked if his struggles could have to do with the elevation.
“... It was a fast pace. It’s not going to be easy for me with just a few practices. I would go day-by-day. I think we have to be smart about it. If I’m not going to be ready, it’s not very smart to put me back there. Hopefully, (Friday) I’ll feel better than (Thursday).”
Does he have a key to the rink yet, so he can enjoy some of his legendary midnight workouts and skates?
“I don’t need it tonight, trust me,” said the NHL’s second-leading scorer of all-time, still feeling the effects Thursday of the long flight from Czech Republic on Wednesday.
“If I was playing in Europe, I would probably take a month before I play some games. Right now, I can’t do that. Hopefully, it’s going to come back quick.”
Bennett sure feels that way. He’s jacked up about the chance to play with Calgary’s favourite new player.
“Obviously he’s a legend, so you’re going to watch him a little more than a normal player,” said Bennett, who spent plenty of time conversing with Jagr throughout a 45-minute practice.
“It’s definitely cool being on a line with him and him giving me pointers. It means a ton coming from a guy like that.
“He’s been around forever and has more experience than ever, so I’ll definitely be picking his brain a lot.”
Noticeably agitated following their season-opening loss, Gulutzan was satisfied with the bounce back in the room and on the ice Friday.
And he gave Jagr some of the credit for it.
“I thought they went hard — he has that effect on a team because guys want to show him they can play,” said Gulutzan, who coached Jagr with the Dallas Stars five years back.
“I understand the impact (of the loss), but I’m not going to live and die every day. We’ll want to keep this moving forward every day, and with Jags coming in, certainly it gave us another day where I certainly didn’t think we’d get this quality of a practice. It was a good side event for us.”
More like a sideshow, prompting Flames players Michael Stone, Dougie Hamilton and Matt Stajan to immediately direct the media towards Jagr’s corner locker stall upon entry.
Indeed, the scrum for Jagr required space in the hall.
Yes, the Jagr Effect was in full display on Day 1. And it’s only going to get nuttier as the fans get involved.