| Jagr had 19 goals and 35 assists for Philly this season. (Getty Images) |
When you compile a list of teams that might be a good match for Jaromir Jagr, it probably consists of teams in the Northeast (including into Canada) and adding in Detroit. Perhaps Edmonton can be considered because of how close he supposedly was to signing there once upon a time.
But Calgary? Well the Flames normally wouldn't make the list. But maybe they should.
The Flames may be a middle-of-the-pack NHL team — maybe worse — but for the first time in a few years, they will have all kinds of salary cap space to add a piece in the forward ranks, especially if Olli Jokinen is allowed to walk via free agency.
The Flames signed Roman Cervenka this spring with the hopes he can skate on the top two lines, and that could be a reason Jagr — who sits eighth on the NHL’s all-time list with 1,653 regular-season points and 11th with 665 goals — may be interested in coming to the Stampede City.
Cervenka, 26, and Jagr were linemates a couple of seasons ago with Omsk of the KHL and had all kinds of success.
Just to clarify, this would appear to be more speculative than anything else. Either way, it's a good talking point, and as well as food for thought given the connection that Sportak points out.
Jagr isn't exactly the player that he once was, which means he would probably fit in quite well with the Flames. Joking aside, I just don't see much of a reason to add Jagr if you're the Flames. This is a team that needs to get younger, they aren't in a win-now mode at all, at least they shouldn't be.
It's great that they finally have cap space but the best way to celebrate that isn't to throw money around once again. I know if they were to sign Jagr it wouldn't be to anything longer than a season most likely so they wouldn't be doing anything that wouldn't come off the books next summer and thus not really hamper them, but it still doesn't make a lot of sense for GM Jay Feaster in my eyes.
From Jagr's standpoint, I don't see what interest he would have in Calgary other than the connection with Cervenka as possibly being enticing. I wouldn't imagine playing for a team that is likely on the outside looking in is his preferred path to retirement. Then again, he might just take where he's offered the most money. Sometimes I like to forget that aspect of pro athletes, but it certainly exists no matter how altruistic I choose to be.
When push comes to shove, I just don't see it happening. They already have an aging legend to enjoy -- and I don't mean that in a sarcastic way at all -- in Calgary with Jarome Iginla.
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