Jagr to return...?

[germany00]

Some people are still unsure about Jagr's return to the NHL. The fundamental answer to "will he return" would be highly unlikely. The Rangers are finally starting to look up, and could signing jagr put this teams new playoff look into jeopardy?

You decide, if you were the NY rangers GM, would you sign Jagr? would it make sense to?

The New York Rangers are reportedly interested in bringing future Hall of Famer and hockey great, Jaromir Jagr, back to the NHL. Jagr first came to the Rangers after GM Glen Sather—back in the days when he did not believe in draft picks, or the notion to spend wisely on his players—traded Anson Carter for him in 2004. Jagr played his way out of Washington, to the point that they were willing to pay $20 million of his salary in the trade. Jagr enjoyed some very successful seasons in New York statistically, but was never able to lead his team deep into the playoffs. After the Rangers lack of offense against Washington in this year's playoffs, rumor has it that they are one of three teams in the running, if he were to return to the NHL.


Does a Jagr return make sense for the direction of this team? Simple answer is no. Signing Jaromir Jagr to a contract will be detrimental to the new found mentality that has been instilled by Coach Tortorella. After years of having a reputation of trying to buy championships, most recently with the atrocious contracts of Gomez and Drury (the jury is still out on Gaborik), they have finally replaced this mentality with a hard working commitment to a defensive system. Guys like Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan have become the face of the franchise, and spending money to bring in a player like Jagr may ruin the new look Rangers.

The real area that Jagr would damage the new style Rangers is the salary cap implications that such a signing would entail. According to CapGeek.com, with the current salary cap at $59.4 million, the Rangers have a little over $18 million to spend on 10 players to fill out their 23 man roster. While that is more cap space than the average team, the Rangers need to re-sign certain key players that have really excelled in their current system. Callahan and Dubinsky, both RFAs, are the two faces of the team on the offensive end (sorry Gaborik, you lost that title), and need to be compensated accordingly. They will both receive in the neighborhood of $4-5 million per season. Both of them, especially Callahan, play a defensively responsible game and provide the two way game that Sather expected from Bobby Holik when he gave him perhaps the worst contract in NHL history.

- A.J Warner

 

[dh1333]

Nah i can see him going to Montreal to play with his linemate from the world championships, Tomas Plekanec. Or Edmonton.

 

[Yankees2772]

I would LOVE Jagr back... This Rangers team is filled with 2nd/3rd line guys - Jagr would be great.