Sometimes people have far too much time on their hands…….
Sources close to #LetsGoPens GM Kyle Dubas have confirmed that he is in late-stage negotiations to sign former Penguin Jaromir Jagr to a 1 year league-minimum deal. pic.twitter.com/KnszOhEtCF
— Penguins Jesus (@PenguinsJesus) August 6, 2023
So, according to some, Kyle Dubas, the Pittsburgh Penguins GM, is interested in signing a 51-year-old soon-to-be hall-of-fame forward. Yeah ok, and I have some oceanfront property in Nevada for sale. There has only been one person in history to play in the NHL at that age, Gordie Howe, aka “Mr. Hockey”, and back when he did it, in 1980, the game wasn’t played at a sprinter’s pace as it is now.
That being said, in the past, Jagr has jokingly said that he was looking to return as he did in 2022…
NHL GMs- I am also free agent, once again. 6,3 265 … 50 years old ,slow, but strong and good hands. Can bring experience and like to play only home games. Call me anytime. 😉Also as the owner of hockey club In czech liga -I am looking to sign a Defenseman No jokes
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) July 13, 2022
And as much as Jagr trains he isn’t likely to be capable of playing a regular shift, and even if he was, it wouldn’t be to a level Jagr himself would be happy with. But why is this something that is making the rounds in NHL rumor circles? Likely because Jagr posted a Terminator quote on Instagram saying “I’ll Be Back”
The man with the second most points in NHL history, 1921 points in 24 NHL seasons, will only be able to become eligible for the Hockey Hall of Fame three full seasons after his last professional game played, and he will be instantly admitted. In 2022-23, he scored 5 goals and 14 points in 26 games for Kladno (on a line with former Montreal Canadiens center Tomas Plekanec who is also from Kladno) in the Czechian Professional league, those games played just so happen to be all the home games to the club that he owns, in his hometown, ensuring better attendance records.
It is HIGHLY unlikely Jagr would ever return as a player, especially not as a 51-year-old player trying to keep up at the pace the game is played today. No, but in a coaching or management position? Sure. However, that Instagram post just happened to correspond with his return to the USA for a tour to promote his latest business venture
Despite the efforts of some sketchy rumor sites begging for clicks, the feel-good scenario of a final Penguins farewell is just a pipe dream fueled by the team’s recent upheaval in management. If there were any truth to these rumors, Jagr himself would just say so, he has been notoriously honest in the past
To blackmail Jaromir Jagr https://t.co/1h0uW08Uw4 https://t.co/8xeKV7kug6 pic.twitter.com/jfDxAB3nqD
— Best OfReddit (@RedditBest) April 19, 2018
Jagr is only trying to promote his business ventures and remain connected to a city that embraced him as a young player. This is all just a nothing burger with extra cheese made to capture the attention of hockey fans.
Good luck in Kladno this season Mr. Jagr
