Jagr Signs 2 Year Deal with Russian League
July 5, 2008 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Fan Fare, NHL, New York Rangers, News, Players, Signings and Contracts
Jaromir Jagr has left the NHL. Shocked? I am, to be honest. At his age, and given his level of success, I thought he would end his career with the Rangers and, well, that would be it. Instead, Russian team, Avangard Omsk, has reportedly given him a $5 million per year deal.
Jagr says it was “the toughest decision” of his life but it sounds like the choice was partially made for him - on Thursday, New York Rangers GM, Glen Sather, said that he couldn’t wait for Jagr to make up him mind and, instead, signed former Vancouver captain, Markus Naslund, to replace him.
“I’m thankful for the three years I had in New York,” said Jagr. “They were great years. I understand that I’m older and the team decided to go in a different direction because they couldn’t get the deal done.
“I will never say one bad word against the Rangers organization or Glen. They were great to me. And I’m not lying when I say that, it’s really how I feel. They were always great to me.”
Well, I understand where Sather is coming from but… it’s freaking Jagr! I would have waited for him but I’m also not a general manager…
image via TSN
