Jagr Watch 2017

[spiritfan]

Pens didnt talk to Jagr... Bobby Lang did... and wheres Eklund in all of this?

[Hugo Stiglitz]

re: the way Pens fans talk about Upshall...

I wonder if other fans talk about Kennedy that way?
(I'd trade Kennedy for Upshall in a nano-second, by the way.)

On what grounds? Their PPG are virtually the same: Upshall with .48 and Kennedy with .47. Kennedy is three years younger, has gotten off to a better start offensively than Upshall has, so you can argue that Kennedy potentially has a higher celing. Upshall is a bigger player, and his physical game is a little more intense, but not vast. So I can't see why it would be such a clear cut idea to trade for him.

[columbia]

Upshall is a bigger player, and his physical game is a little more intense.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

Upshall is a bigger player, and his physical game is a little more intense.

I would normally agree, but it's not like Kennedy is not a physical player. He's played an increasingly physical game as his development has progressed. not every player needs to be a bulldozer. Kennedy is a scrappy tenacious player who can score and has a pretty solid all-around game. He's shown that he can perform on the top lines now, so I personally think he would be a better fit than Upshall.

[columbia]

Upshall is a bigger player, and his physical game is a little more intense.

I would normally agree, but it's not like Kennedy is not a physical player. He's played an increasingly physical game as his development has progressed. not every player needs to be a bulldozer. Kennedy is a scrappy tenacious player who can score and has a pretty solid all-around game. He's shown that he can perform on the top lines now, so I personally think he would be a better fit than Upshall.

I'm a known Kennedy basher, so please don't expect me to be unbiased on this.

[Ben Klingston]

Jagr's agent and Jagr have been doing their best to make this a story with their interviews the past few days. They've gone out of their way to attract the Pens attention. If they were having legitimate conversations Jagr & his camp wouldn't have to use the media to transmit their message to the Pens.

If that were the case, the Pens would be flat out denying the rumors for two straight days, rather than just declining comment. The Pens could put a stop to that at any turn. They've been reading the same rumors that everyone else has been reading.

Why would the Pens come out and deny the talk of their interest/talks, even if they weren't true? Leaving at least that question mark out there can only drive up Jagr's price, and if that price is paid by another NHL team, that's less money for others to spend on the remaining FA market.

As far as the original quote - I don't view Jagr's camp using the media to transmit their message to the Pens.... they are using the media to make it known, or at least give the impression, to the 'other teams' that the Pens are in the running.

[Ben Klingston]

i can't imagine shero is happy that this is getting treated like a public auction. these leaks about pitt and det and who is offering what - they probably marked the end of the pens' involvement in this.

If you're implying that GMRS got miffed that talks of interest leaked and he bowed out because of that, I disagree. Professional, competent GMs don't do that, and GMRS is exactly that.

[Mongoose87]

i can't imagine shero is happy that this is getting treated like a public auction. these leaks about pitt and det and who is offering what - they probably marked the end of the pens' involvement in this.

If you're implying that GMRS got miffed that talks of interest leaked and he bowed out because of that, I disagree. Professional, competent GMs don't do that, and GMRS is exactly that.

Unless... what if the bloom is off his rose?

[Ben Klingston]

Really Jagr? We are talking a 40 year old who has not played in the NHL for three years. Why? By mid-season the Pens are saddled with a huge distraction that will not help them get to where they want to go.

I remember another all-time great that came back to the NHL in his late 30s after 4 years (out of the game completely, not playing in a lower level league, mind you), was a distraction - in a pretty good way, raised the games of those around him, and helped the team get probably further than they should have went that year.

A few orders of magnitude difference in Mario and Jags talent, greatness, legacy, and leadership, but I don't see why Jags doesn't have the same possibility for upside, albeit less of an impact.

[pensfan1989]

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[Ben Klingston]

I always thought Jagr took too much grief for his departure. He carried the Pens through the mid-late 90s. He even had 3 great assists in Game 7 vs BUF to get the Pens to the Conf Finals in 01.

Euros grow up following European football (soccer) so they come from a culture where players can basically dictate when they want to move onto another club. Jagr gave the Pens 10 mostly exceptional years of service. I'd even say Malkin has had more subpar time as a Penguin than Jagr based on his decline the past 2 seasons, but I digress.

That said, Jagr is too slow of a skater to play on the current Pens IMO. Plus he isn't a traditional Wing. He also needs the puck to be effective. I don't think that would mesh well with Crosby or Malkin.

Detroit is a very good fit for Jagr. They aren't a fast skating team, but they play a high tempo, puck possession game.

Agree with this post 110%.

[Ben Klingston]

i can't imagine shero is happy that this is getting treated like a public auction. these leaks about pitt and det and who is offering what - they probably marked the end of the pens' involvement in this.

If you're implying that GMRS got miffed that talks of interest leaked and he bowed out because of that, I disagree. Professional, competent GMs don't do that, and GMRS is exactly that.

Unless... what if the bloom is off his rose?

Then we're screwed, regardless of Jagr.

[skullman80]

[youtube][/youtube]

I was at that game... good times. Right before my 16th birthday. 10 rows or so behind Brodeur when Jagr buried the game winner. Awesome.

[Ben Klingston]

[youtube][/youtube]

Still the best sporting event I've ever attended in person.

Drove 3.5 hours and got killer seats in B level via student rush.... for what was potentially the last game in Pittsburgh Penguins history (student rush available....?!!)

What a ridiculous pass by Kovy on the first goal by Marty.

[skullman80]

I got student rush tickets that game too.... I still have the ticket stub somewhere... I don't think the game even sold out to be honest, but that place was going nuts when Jagr won that game in OT.

[saints11]

Do you think that discussions with JJ have gone well and rather than announce it tomorrow on NHL Awards day, with Disco Dan up for the Adams; that the Pens don't want to rain on DB's parade. Rather could announce on Thursday, after awards and before the draft.....great day to grab headlines.

[Ben Klingston]

I got student rush tickets that game too.... I still have the ticket stub somewhere... I don't think the game even sold out to be honest, but that place was going nuts when Jagr won that game in OT.

Yeah, I high-fived and hugged more strangers that game than any game I've ever been to, including the Cup runs the past few years.

Even though that was a game 6, the Pens pushing to 7 games let alone winning it was a huge upset. Add in the drama of Jags coming back from the bad groin, coming back against Brodeur, Scott Stevens, Niedermeyer, and the mighty Devils trap, and the fact that the Pens future was very much in certain.... it is maybe one of the most under-rated games in Pens history.

When I got a STH spotlight on the jumbotron a few years ago, this was the game I chose to highlight. I walked out of that game and swore I would graduate, find a job in the burgh, and deposit on season tickets would be one of my first purchases.... which is exactly what I did.

[shmenguin]

re: the way Pens fans talk about Upshall...

I wonder if other fans talk about Kennedy that way?
(I'd trade Kennedy for Upshall in a nano-second, by the way.)

On what grounds? Their PPG are virtually the same: Upshall with .48 and Kennedy with .47. Kennedy is three years younger, has gotten off to a better start offensively than Upshall has, so you can argue that Kennedy potentially has a higher celing. Upshall is a bigger player, and his physical game is a little more intense, but not vast. So I can't see why it would be such a clear cut idea to trade for him.

the tiebreaker is whoever wins this fight:

[youtube][/youtube]

[PensOnDVD]

The Penguins believe Jagr is asking for at least $2 million on a one-year deal. They are committed to $55.5 million against the salary cap for 17 players on guaranteed NHL contracts. The cap will be $64 million next season, according to Canada's TSN

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsbu ... z1PySslpd1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

$2 mil? I do it.

[Streaks House]

Under $2.5, I'd do it.

[skullman80]

Under $2.5, I'd do it.

Ditto.

[npv708]

At 2 mil, is there even a reason for hesitation? That would give us around 5 million to sign 3 players. Great contract for a high risk/extremely high reward player.

I seriously can't even express how much I want to see Jagr lace up as a Pen again. I haven't been this giddy since I first heard a rumor about the Pens having interest in Hossa.

[DayWalker]

I am not sure what price range would make a Jagr signing in Pittsburgh too big of a gamble, but if the Penguins are not able to sign him, I sincerely hope this team is not going to sign Dupuis and Kennedy and pencil them in as the team's RW's for its top two lines during the regular season and playoffs. If they do that, they won't be winning the Cup absent substantial upgrades elsewhere. If Jagr is determined to be a poor fit, too old, or too expensive, I do hope the team at least is willing to investigate some of the other available UFA's that could be slotted alongside Crosby and/or Malkin, even if the pickings appear to be pretty slim at the moment.

[Hugo Stiglitz]

At 2 mil, is there even a reason for hesitation? That would give us around 5 million to sign 3 players. Great contract for a high risk/extremely high reward player.

I seriously can't even express how much I want to see Jagr lace up as a Pen again. I haven't been this giddy since I first heard a rumor about the Pens having interest in Hossa.

Well, is it on Jagr or the Pens do decide?

[npv708]

I have it on good authority that there's a 66% chance that Jagr will make his return to the NHL at the Consol Energy Center.