Category Archives: Hockey News

Ranking Jagr’s many tenures by team

One of the most prolific careers in NHL history looks to have come to an underwhelming end, as the Calgary Flames officially assigned Jaromir Jagr to HC Kladno of the Czech League, where he'll resume his professional career after clearing waivers.

Jagr ranks second to only Wayne Gretzky in career points (1,914) and third behind Gordie Howe and Mark Messier in games played (1,733). While he could still technically revive his NHL career at some point down the road, all signs point to this being the final act of a wildly eventful journey for No. 68 in the league.

The Flames were Jagr's ninth NHL team, and while it definitely wasn't his most memorable stop, his name still generated buzz everywhere he went, and inspired legions of fans to come out and watch. So, without further ado, let's look back at each of Jagr's tenures and rank them accordingly:

9. Dallas Stars (2012-13)

GP G A
34 14 12

Jagr's first stop in the Western Conference was individually productive, as he notched 26 points in 34 games in the lockout-shortened season. But the Stars weren't a particularly great team at that point, and the luster quickly fizzled as he was traded to the Boston Bruins for the stretch run and playoffs.

8. Calgary Flames (2017-18)

GP G A
22 1 6

Though even shorter than his time in Dallas, the excitement of Jagr landing a contract after an offseason of questions about whether he'd get one bumps his only stint in Canada ahead of his time in Texas. It certainly didn't end the way the hockey world had hoped, but it was fun while it lasted.

7. Boston Bruins (2012-13)

GP G A
11 2 7

As mentioned, the Stars weren't very good in 2012-13, but boy, the Bruins were. Jagr joined a Boston team ripe with depth and went all the way to the Stanley Cup Final. In 22 postseason games, he recorded 10 assists but failed to score, which somewhat soured a playoff run that fell just barely - and excruciatingly - short of a championship.

6. New Jersey Devils (2013-15)

GP G A
139 35 61

While coping with the loss of Ilya Kovalchuk, the Devils signed Jagr to a one-year deal after his time in Boston. New Jersey didn't do much with Jagr in the fold, but at least he was there for an entire season. Plus, he scored his 700th carer goal and played in his 1,500th game while with the club.

5. Philadelphia Flyers (2011-12)

GP G A
73 19 35

After a three-year break in the KHL, Jagr provoked the imagination of all NHL fan bases by deciding to come back to North America. Pittsburgh fans dreamed he would don Penguins colors once more, but Jagr went full villain by signing a one-year contract with the archrival Flyers. Though it was ultimately a fruitless endeavor, the excitement of it all bumps this tenure ahead of his other brief stops.

4. Florida Panthers (2015-17)

GP G A
141 48 81

The Devils dealt Jagr to the Panthers in February 2015, where he found a comfortable home for the latter stages of his career. Jagr proved he could still be productive despite his age, leading Florida in scoring with 66 points at 44 years old. Most notably, he moved into second all time in points while suiting up in Sunrise.

3. Washington Capitals (2001-04)

GP G A
190 83 118

After an ugly split with the Penguins, Jagr was dealt to the Capitals and subsequently signed the most lucrative contract in NHL history at the time - a whopping seven-year, $77-million deal. Jagr's arrival didn't translate into any significant success for the Caps despite his gaudy numbers, which eventually prompted a trade out of the nation's capital.

2. New York Rangers (2004-08)

GP G A
277 124 195

Jagr landed in the Big Apple after Washington and remained one of the league's premier point producers. In 2005-06, he notched his third-highest season total with 123 points - the only time he reached triple digits after his time in Pittsburgh. His performance that year earned him the Lester. B Pearson award as the league's most valuable player as voted by the players' association.

1. Pittsburgh Penguins (1990-2001)

GP G A
806 439 640

Obviously.

After being drafted fifth overall in 1990, Jagr teamed up with Mario Lemiuex in Pittsburgh to form arguably the most unstoppable tandem the league has ever seen. The Penguins won Stanley Cups in each of Jagr's first two seasons, launching him into superstardom. On top of his two rings, he also won the Art Ross five times, a Hart Trophy, two Lester B. Pearsons, and was named to nine All-Star Games as a Penguin.

(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)

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Blue Jackets’ Dubinsky expects to return this week

Brandon Dubinsky is apparently doing just fine after all - at least if you ask him.

Despite being sent home by the Columbus Blue Jackets for personal reasons just last week - followed by reports about his career potentially nearing its end - Dubinsky said he's close to returning to game action.

"It feels good," Dubinsky said of his forthcoming return, according to the Columbus Dispatch's Steve Gorten. "I had to deal with some, some medical issues for myself. It’s nice to be back in practice and have the opportunity to try to play tomorrow.

"We talked before that (optional) practice (Tuesday in Las Vegas), agreed on some stuff and I came home to look after myself. I had some stuff going on and I just had to take care of it."

Dubinsky hasn't suited up for the Blue Jackets since breaking his orbital bone in a scrap with Edmonton Oilers tough guy Zack Kassian on Dec. 13, but said he'll be back in the lineup "1000 percent" by Friday the latest.

However, the biggest questions surrounding Dubinsky have still gone mostly unanswered, as the specifics behind his medical issue were never fully provided.

"You guys can speculate all you want. That’s up to you," Dubinsky said. "I’m telling you what I’m going to tell you. We’re people too. We have stuff that is private to us and we want to keep that way. So that’s just the way it’s going to be."

Columbus returns to action Tuesday night against the Minnesota Wild, followed by games against the San Jose Sharks and New York Islanders on Friday and Saturday, respectively.

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Jets’ Trouba out 6-8 weeks with lower-body injury

The Winnipeg Jets will start the second half of the NHL campaign without one of their top defenseman, as Jacob Trouba will be out six-to-eight weeks with a lower-body injury, head coach Paul Maurice announced Monday.

Trouba suffered the injury near the end of Winnipeg's most recent contest, a shootout loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Thursday.

Through 50 games, Trouba has been an absolute workhorse, racking up three goals and 17 assists in 22:10 of ice time per night while anchoring Maurice's top defensive unit alongside upstart rearguard Josh Morrissey.

Winnipeg sits one point clear of the Nashville Predators for the Central Division lead, but with injuries to key players mounting, the Jets' depth will be put to the test over the next couple of months.

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Flames assign Jagr to HC Kladno of Czech league

The Calgary Flames assigned Jaromir Jagr to HC Kladno of the Czech hockey league Monday, the team announced.

Jagr was placed on waivers Sunday, subsequently cleared waivers earlier Monday, and became eligible to be assigned to his home club in the Czech Republic - a team Jagr also co-owns.

"I want to thank Brad Treliving and the Calgary Flames for giving me the immense opportunity to be a part of their team and continue my NHL career this season," Jagr said in a team release.

"Although I am very disappointed that things did not turn out as we had hoped due to a number of circumstances, I am deeply grateful to the Flames, the fans and the City of Calgary for having welcomed me so generously. I now look forward to continuing the season in Kladno."

Now that Jagr has officially cleared waivers and been assigned, his contract comes off of Calgary's books for the remainder of the season, according to Cap Friendly.

In what was potentially his last attempt at sticking in the NHL, Jagr was a disappointment this season for the Flames, registering only one goal and six assists in just over 13 minutes of ice time per night.

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Sabres’ AHL club signs Gionta to tryout ahead of PyeongChang 2018

Brian Gionta is getting a chance to get back into game action.

The former Buffalo Sabres captain, who's been named to Team USA's roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, has signed a one-game tryout with the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' AHL affiliate.

Related: Gionta, Wisniewski highlight U.S. men's Olympic roster

"Brian has been practicing with us on a regular basis since early in the season," Americans general manager Randy Sexton said in a statement. "These practices were part of his preparation for the Olympics and, given the Olympics are just around the corner, a game was the final tuneup for him to get ready to captain the U.S. Olympic team."

The veteran forward is expected to dress for Friday's contest against the Toronto Marlies. It will mark Gionta's first game since last April when he was part of the Sabres, and his first AHL appearance since the 2004-05 season.

A native of Rochester, Gionta has previously represented the United States internationally on six occasions, most recently at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Team USA's first game in PyeongChang comes Feb. 14 against Slovenia.

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By the numbers: A look back at Jagr’s legendary NHL career

Jaromir Jagr has reportedly cleared waivers and will head home to Kladno in the Czech Republic after 22 games this season with the Calgary Flames.

While his hockey career is expected to resume in Europe, it looks like his NHL days are over, though he leaves quite a legacy.

Here's a look at some of the notable numbers from his career.

4: The spot where Jagr was drafted in 1990 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

9: Number of teams Jagr played for: the Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Flames.

68: Number worn by Jagr's favorite player.

1,733: Games played, third-highest in NHL history behind Gordie Howe (1,767) and Mark Messier (1,765).

766: Goals scored, placing him third all time after Wayne Gretzky (894) and Howe (801).

1,155: Assists, good for fifth in NHL history.

1,921: Add it all up and Jagr finishes with this many points, more than any player not named Wayne Gretzky (2,857).

135: His NHL-record number of game-winning goals.

5,637: Shots on goal, second to defenseman Ray Bourque (6,206).

2: Stanley Cups won, both with the Penguins (1991, 1992).

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

3: Cup Final appearances, including 2013 with the Bruins.

5: Art Ross Trophies as the NHL's highest scorer in a single season (1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001).

3. Lester B. Pearson Awards, given to the most outstanding player in the regular season as judged by the members of the NHLPA (1999, 2000, 2006).

1: Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the regular-season MVP (1999).

1: Bill Masterton Trophy, awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to the sport (2016).

13: All-Star selections between 1992 and 2016.

10/7/1990: Date of Jagr's first NHL goal, assisted by Jim Johnson and Kevin Stevens.

11/9/2017: Date of Jagr's last NHL goal, assisted by Johnny Gaudreau and Brett Kulak.

3: Number of years spent playing in the KHL (2008-11), during which time he could have boosted any of his above NHL stats.

4: League work stoppages over the course of his NHL career - one due to a player strike and three due to lockout.

1: Greatest mullet in hockey history.

(Photos courtesy: Getty unless otherwise credited)

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Boeser, Eichel, Lehner named 3 stars of the week

It's been a good few days for Brock Boeser.

After taking home MVP honors in the NHL All-Star Game on Sunday, the Vancouver Canucks freshman picked up another accolade Monday, as he was named the first star of the week.

Related: Boeser leaves first All-Star experience with cash, a car, and a canine

In two games, Boeser picked up a pair of goals, with both tallies coming against the Los Angeles Kings. It brought his total to 24 goals on the year, the most among NHL rookies.

Meanwhile, a pair of Buffalo Sabres picked up second and third star honors.

Sabres forward Jack Eichel is the second star of the week after he netted five points in three games, including an overtime winner against the Calgary Flames and a four-point night versus the Edmonton Oilers.

Eichel's teammate and Sabres netminder Robin Lehner was named the third star of the week after posting back-to-back shutouts over the Oilers and Canucks. Lehner combined for 63 saves in the two contests.

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Report: Jagr clears waivers, expected to be assigned to Czech league

Jaromir Jagr has reportedly cleared waivers and the balance of his contract with the Calgary Flames is expected to be assigned to Czech club Kladno, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.

This likely signals the end of the legendary forward's NHL career. It took until nearly the end of last summer for Jagr to come to terms on his one-year, $1-million contract with the Flames.

Limited to 22 games with Calgary, Jagr added a goal and six assists to his career point total of 1,921, which is second in league history after Wayne Gretzky (2,857).

Jagr's also set to finish 34 games shy of Gordie Howe's all-time games played record of 1,767.

Drafted fifth overall by Pittsburgh in 1990, Jagr recorded 766 goals and 1,155 assists with nine teams, and won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins (1991, 1992). He also won five Art Ross Trophies, three Ted Lindsays Awards, the Hart Trophy and the Bill Masterton Trophy.

Jagr is a co-owner and team president of Kladno, the Czech team based in his hometown, and he's now free to play for his country at PyeonChang 2018.

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Islanders to play 12 home games at Nassau Coliseum next season

The New York Islanders are returning to familiar territory.

On Monday, the club announced it will play 12 home games at Nassau Coliseum next season, with the remainder to be played at Barclays Center, its current home in Brooklyn.

The 2019-20 season will then see the Islanders split their home schedule between the two arenas.

The Islanders previously played out of Nassau Coliseum between their formation in 1972 and their move to Brooklyn in 2015.

However, a host of issues at Barclays Center, including poor ice conditions and a section of seating that offered obstructed views - in addition to a hard-to-reach arena for fans coming from Nassau County - left the team searching for a new home.

In December, the team's bid was selected to build an arena in Belmont Park, about eight miles west of Nassau Coliseum. The hope is that it will be ready in time for the 2021-22 season.

Nassau Coliseum has undergone extensive renovations since the Islanders left, which reduced seating capacity to 13,000, but the old barn appears to be a temporary solution as the team awaits its new home.

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Boeser leaves first All-Star experience with cash, a car, and a canine

Brock Boeser left Tampa with quite a haul.

Making his All-Star debut, the Vancouver Canucks rookie forward proved he truly belongs among the NHL's elite. He won the accuracy shooting challenge, was part of the tournament-champion Pacific squad, and was named the event's Most Valuable Player to boot, all of which left him with an extra $551,000 in his pocket.

Here's how his weekend bonuses break down, according to The Athletic's Michael Russo:

  • $10,000: Bonus given to all NHL All-Stars.
  • $25,000: Prize for winning Saturday’s accuracy shooting challenge.
  • $91,000: Boeser's share of the $1 million prize presented to the winning team.
  • $212,500: Bonus from his entry-level contract for being selected to the All-Star Game.
  • $212,500: Bonus from his entry-level contract for being named All-Star Game MVP.

On top of that, Boeser was given a 2018 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid for winning MVP.

However, he might end up re-gifting that one:

What he will keep is a nine-week-old puppy he adopted after the All-Stars participated in a photo shoot with the Humane Society of Tampa. According to Russo, Boeser fell in love with a German Shepherd-Husky mix named Cider, and his mother took the pup back to the family home for the time being.

On top of the cash, a car, and a canine, Boeser could be in line to add another 'C' to his resume: the Calder Trophy, as the NHL's top rookie this season.

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