Thirty minutes before unrestricted free agency began, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced they were pulling their offer for Jaromir Jagr. The Detroit Red Wings soon followed suit. He and agent Petr Svoboda had reopened the bidding for the 39-year-old free agent to other teams, and his primary suitors reached the breaking point in their patience for his decision.
One of the teams Jagr was speaking to was the Philadelphia Flyers. One hour and 30 minutes into the NHL Free Agent Frenzy, they announced they had signed the right wing to a one-year deal.
TSN reports it's a $3.3 million contract, well ahead of the $2 million one-year deal the Penguins were offering.
He's a player with 646 goals and 953 assists in his NHL career, and will be a physical presence on the wing for the Flyers. His offensive skills are still sharp, instantly improving the team's top six forwards and the team's power play. Claude Giroux and Jagr on the same line could produce some devastating pressure in the offensive zone.
The questions about Jagr are about the physical toll of the NHL style of hockey and the grind of the schedule — and, let's face it, his attitude, again, after this week's shenanigans with the Penguins.
There was a time when Jaromir Jagr was booed every time he touched the puck when playing in Pittsburgh while wearing another uniform. Time healed some of those wounds. The nostalgic kick of "Jagr Watch" this week was a virtual valentine to Jagr from Penguins fans.
One imagines he'll be booed from the moment he steps off the Flyers' team bus now in the Steel City.
On Thursday, GM Ray Shero challenged Jaromir Jagr, hoping that he "meant what he said by wanting to do right by Mario."
On Friday, Jaromir Jagr signed with the Penguins' arch rivals. Because he wanted an extra $1.3 million.
Nostalgia is a fairy tale in Jagr's world.
This is a business.