It’s official
Jagr signs with Calgary Flames, says he wanted NHL swan song to be in Canada
CALGARY Jaromir Jagr asked for a little patience in what he’s sure will be his last NHL season, but his first in a Canadian market.
The 45-year-old Czech winger donned a Calgary Flames jersey Wednesday at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
He had yet to meet his new teammates, who were up the highway about to play their season-opener against the Edmonton Oilers.
“I already said in a Czech newspaper it’s 99.9 per cent that his will be my last season, so I want to get the experience so I can one day say I played for a Canadian team,” Jagr said at a news conference.
The Flames signed Jagr to a one-year contract worth US$1 million.
The six-foot-three, 213-pound forward from Kladno spent the summer not knowing if or where he might play his 24th NHL season.
With 1,914 points (765 goals, 1,149 assists), Jagr ranks second only to Wayne Gretzky in all-time NHL scoring.
Calgary’s home-opener is Saturday versus the Winnipeg Jets, but without a training camp, Jagr tempered expectations.
“I’m just probably going to need a little more time than usual, but after awhile I can promise you I’ll do everything I can to help this team,” Jagr said. “I don’t know how my body is going to react. I didn’t play any games for five months. I didn’t have any team practices for five months. I was practising on my own most of the time.
“I just want to get some practices and see how I feel. I still need some confidence. If it’s not good for the team to play right away, I’m not.” Jagr started his career Pittsburgh in 1990 when he helped the Penguins win back-toback Stanley Cups in 1991 and 1992.
A five-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL’s top scorer, Jagr also earned the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 1999.
He’s played 1,711 NHL games with Pittsburgh, Washington, New York Rangers, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey and Florida.