It’s official, Jarmoir Jagr will not be wearing a New York Rangers uniform next season, or for that fact, any NHL uniform. The announcement was made via the Russian team Avangard Omsk’s website and was confirmed by Jagr and his agent. The terms of the contract were not disclosed, but it has been reported that the contract is a 2-year $7 million tax free deal, the equivalent of earning $11 million a season in the NHL.
Jagr who became a free agent July 1 was reportedly courted by a number of NHL teams including the Rangers,Penguins, and Oilers, but instead chose to return to Russia where he had played during the lockout season of 2004-05.
(Jagr in his Omsk uniform.)
The 36-year old winger signed with Avangard Omsk the same team he played for during the lockout. Jagr told the press that, “It was the toughest decision in my life, hockeywise…No question about. I hate making changes.”
Jagr began his NHL career in 1990 with the Pittsburgh Penguins, he then played for the Washinton Capitals, and the New York Rangers. In 1,273 NHL games he amassed 1,599 points with 646 goals and 953 assists. He won the Art Ross Trophy as the leagues leading scorer 5 times and also won two Stanley Cups.
While on the surface Jagr leaving for the Russian professional league may mean little to anyone other then Ranger fans, it could be a pervasive theme in years to come, possibly posing a legitimate threat to the NHL.
The NHL and the new Russian professional league have reached an agreement that would prevent the leagues from negotiating with players under contract, but there are no provisions in place from keeping the Russian league from luring players like Jagr to Russia with lucrative contracts. The Russian league could pose a serious problem to the NHL in upcoming years because of the severe limitations the NHL’s salary cap places on teams abilities to sign players to big contracts. In contrast the Russian league can offer players any amount of money they see fit, and European or Russian players in particular may find themselves taking the cash over the possibility of capturing a Stanley Cup.
The Russian league even attempted to lure one of the NHL’s brightest young stars, Evgeni Malkin back to Russia with a reported $12.5 million per-year contract offer. Fortunately for the NHL and especially the Penguins Malkin refused the offer. The effect of the Russian league on the NHL can be seen in the draft as well. Where once an average of 20-30 Russian players were drafted by NHL teams, that number has been trending steadily downward with less then ten Russian born players being chosen in this years draft. NHL teams are not willing to risk using a draft pick on a player who may instead choose to sign with a Russian league team.
As for Jagr he hinted that this may not be the last team he plays hockey in North America. Pointing toward the 2010 Winter Olympics as a possible return date, “Maybe, I will see you in Vancouver in 2010.” He told the Canadian Press.
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