Philadelphia Flyers Sign Jaromir Jagr
By Wyatt Earp | July 1, 2011
You’ll have to bear with me here because it’s really difficult typing while jumping up and down shouting, “OH MY GOD!!!” The Flyers have been making stellar moves all through the off-season, and landed Jagr and former Penguins forward Maxime Talbot today – .
The new-look Philadelphia Flyers were at it again on Friday, as they tore through the first day of free agency with four signings, two of which hurt the rival Pittsburgh Penguins across the state.
Within a matter of hours, free-agent forwards Jaromir Jagr and Maxime Talbot signed deals with the Atlantic Division champions. Jagr, 39, a 1990 first-round pick of the Penguins snared a one-year deal worth $3.3 million, and Talbot, 27, who scored a game-winning Stanley Cup goal for the Penguins, signed a five-year deal worth $9 million.
This is a great move for three reasons . . .
First, Jagr can still play; he proved that in this year’s World Championships. Second, unlike Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, Jagr is a leader – on the ice and in the locker room. He’ll do wonders with young stars James van Riemsdyk and Claude Giroux. Finally, there’s a ton of upsides with little downsides. If he doesn’t work out, it’s only a one-year deal. No harm, no foul. Personally, I think he’ll do well here.
Regular readers know my favorite hockey player of all time is Wayne Gretzky. Former Flyer and current Leafs assistant coach Keith Acton is second. Jagr is third. I’ve followed him his entire career, and own his Penguins and Capitals jerseys. You can be damned sure I’ll be getting his Flyers jersey, too.
Oh, and the bonus? The ladies may take a shine to Maxime Talbot:
Topics: Ice Hockey | 12 Comments »
July 1st, 2011 at 8:07 pm
They are great acquisitions! Flyers are going to be tougher next year.
July 1st, 2011 at 9:04 pm
Isn’t he an old fart???
July 1st, 2011 at 9:45 pm
I . . . I’m speechless. I’m. . . so disappointed, Wyatt?
Wyatt? Jaromir? Jagr?
REALLLLY?!?!?
anyway I’m mystified. He’s old and he should be retired. what a stupid aquisition. like when we tried again with an over-the-hill Forsberg, only worse. And even more homo.
You love . . . Jagr?!?!?
WHY GOD WHY?!?!
July 1st, 2011 at 9:50 pm
USAdmiral – Not winning a Cup, but we’ll be dangerous for a while.
Old NFO – I believe he’s 39. Younger than me, at least.
Orchid – I’ve always been a Pens fan – ever since they signed Lemieux. I loved Jagr, even though he was a pansy when he was younger. But he just played in the World Championships for the Czech Republic and scored two goals against the U.S. And hey, it’s a one-year deal. What’s the harm?
And yes, I’m aware I’ve disappointed you. Sorry dear.
July 1st, 2011 at 10:09 pm
Well…hello, Maxime! Dang…
I was reading that Jagr might go to back to the Pens, but no one mentioned the Flyers…what a “in your face” thing. Love it! Not sure how well he’ll play (age), but it does add some excitement.
The first person I thought of when I heard the news was you and how happy you must be.
July 1st, 2011 at 10:22 pm
Well good, now the Pens can sign some young blood….
July 1st, 2011 at 10:49 pm
Jagr is a nice signing on two levels. One, if he can still play at a reasonably high level, he should get 60 points, esp. if he’s paired with Giroux and JVR. Two, he can teach the young forwards — JVR, fellow Czech Voracek, Simmonds — some of the tricks of the big forward’s trade.
Talbot is a great steal — a top-notch penalty killer and pest who knows where the line is, unlike Carcillo, Avery, etc.
I don’t buy the Lilja signing, though.
Also, moving Versteeg ends a chapter that probably should have never been written. He never fit in and didn’t show what he showed in Chicago (or even with the dreadful Leafs while he was there).
I wonder if there’s one more move left — a one-year discounted deal for Simon Gagne, maybe?
In all, a better day than most of the commenters I’ve been reading seem to be “thinking”.
July 2nd, 2011 at 12:02 am
RT – Elated!
GroovyVic – I don’t come cheap, but I’ll play for them.
Bob – Some guys I know were e-mailing back and forth talking about how bad a deal it was. They should try e-mailing when they aren’t on crack.
July 2nd, 2011 at 5:30 am
Hmm….not my problem. If anything, maybe the Jagr signing will convince Recchi to un-retire and play another year for Boston.
If all else fails, Bruins can always sucker Toronto into giving away the farm once again. Last week’s draft officially closed the books on the Kessel epoch, BTW
July 2nd, 2011 at 7:43 am
Huh, Wyatt…I said young blood!!!
July 2nd, 2011 at 8:44 am
WOW!
Trader Paul is at it again. He did what he had to do when he took the reins a few years ago in signing a bunch of free agents and making trades. The risk he took were in trading away all the Flyers draft picks and butting up against the cap. Now he’s doing what he has to do again – freeing up cap room to get top players (goalie included) that fit with the rest of the team and starting to get draft picks back. He certainly does not lack for balls.
Oh, and the Flyers should be entertaining to watch again this year.
July 2nd, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Fenway – What’s with you guys signing Canadiens?
GroovyVic – Aren’t I younger than you???
PapaMAS – Damned straight. I don’t have a problem with any of these moves. None at all.