A mix just like fine wine
As of March 30, Jaromir Jagr has collected 1,796 NHL points – 720 of them being goals. Jagr’s point total puts him sixth all time in the NHL while having played for eight different teams. He also won two Stanley Cups during his time with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Amidst his statistical excellence, there is one digit that continues to stand out above all.
43.
A number that has yet to hold back Jaromir Jagr.
Jaromir Jagr may be 43-years-old, however, recently acquired by the Florida Panthers from the New Jersey Devils, the Czech Republic native is leading the way for a young Panthers team in the push for the playoffs.
Jagr is leading the typically mediocre Florida Panthers into a hopeful playoff push in the Eastern Conference. Traded to the Panthers at this year’s trade deadline by the New Jersey Devils for a draft pick, the move has evidently lit a fire under the 43-year-old. Florida’s young team has benefitted tremendously from Jagr’s skill and experience.
Amazingly, Jagr’s linemates – Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov – have a combined age of 40, and cannot stop producing with the 43-year-old Czech legend, pushing Florida to what could just be their second playoff appearance since the 1999-2000 season.
In 14 games with Florida, Jagr has 12 points and a plus-eight rating for a team that has struggled to score goals this season. Leftwinger Huberdeau has collected 16 points since the arrival of Jagr, while centre Barkov has 10 points over the same span. Jagr’s presence can be credited for the recent success of his young line mates, who are both top three draft selections by the Panthers.
Florida’s cabinet of promising prospects is one of the wealthiest in the NHL. Most notably, 19-year-old Windsor born defenseman Aaron Ekblad leads a squad filled with some of the league’s most exciting young players. 22-year-old centre Nick Bjugstad and 23-year-old Brandon Pirri have both had significant roles for the Panthers this season, propelling them into a competitive position. Jagr’s presence on this young team provides some direction for Florida’s youth, and the Panthers front office hopes that the run of recent form is a sign of a prolonged bright future in Sunrise, Florida.
Jagr’s leadership role is something that he has already excelled in throughout his career. Jagr’s stint with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2011-12 NHL season saw him playing wing on a line with young gun Claude Giroux and the tough winger Scott Hartnell. The trio of Flyers amassed 214 combined points, and Giroux’s 93 points was good enough for third in league scoring. Playing alongside Jagr was likely a reason contributing to Giroux’s best numerical season of his career so far.
Jagr continues to shatter records, and one must wonder when father time will finally catch up to the Czech legend. The end does not appear near, however, and it will be in Florida’s best interests to resign Jagr at the end of this NHL season.
Looking at the present, for now Florida’s young talent will continue to develop and learn from one of the all time greats.