Penguins/NHL
Jagr saga will go into Friday, possibly into Weekend
Jaromir Jagr remains torn on his playing future as he attempts a return to the NHL. How much longer will it play out?
Penguins GM Ray Shero told the local media on Thursday evening that he believed a decision could be coming by Friday morning. However, late Thursday night, Jagr’s camp indicated that a decision might not be made until the weekend.
“No decision {tonight}. We {may} need a few days to sort things out, ” Svoboda told Inside Pittsburgh Sports via phone around the 9:00 p.m. hour.
Svoboda has indicated that the 12:00 p.m. start of free agency on Friday will not lead Jagr to “rush a decision”.
Meanwhile, Svoboda tonight told ESPN’s Scott Burnside that more teams entering the mix has shaken things up.
“There’s a lot more teams now we’re talking to,” Svoboda told ESPN.com
The Penguins believe their one year offer is competitive with others but Jagr not completely on-board with joining Pittsburgh just yet, isn’t all about money, a source close to the situation told Inside Pittsburgh Sports.
Indications are that Jagr has some “minor concerns” of “connecting” with the Penguins young core.
Sources say one reason Jagr is so drawn to Detroit is because he see’s himself fitting in better with their veteran core of star players. In Montreal, he also has no concerns of fitting in, as Jagr would get to play with close friend Tomas Plekanec who is recruiting Jagr to Montreal.
These concerns are said to be about more inside the locker room, ect than anything about an his ability on the ice, where Jagr feels he could excel alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.
Jagr concerns of fitting in with the Penguins squad isn’t said to be a deal breaker but something that’s raised a red flag to him, sources say.
The Penguins will keep their offer on the table and indications are they won’t pull the offer if Jagr hasn’t signed by 12:01 p.m.
However, Jagr not making a decision by 12:00 p.m. will be risky business for him, as the Penguins will have to explore their options in free agency. A good thing for Jagr, is that there’s slim pickings for the Penguins when it comes to a fit financially, especially if the Penguins resign Tyler Kennedy.
The team has around $6.5 million in cap space and could lock up close to $2 million into Kennedy if they get him signed before free agency begins.
With Kennedy and Jagr still not signed, the Penguins have a need for at least one top-6 winger and a need to add some toughness or grit with Mike Rupp and Max Talbot not returning.
Right now, Pascal Dupuis is their first line right winger.
The Penguins are believed to have the lowest offer on the table to Jagr but not by much. However, the Montreal Canadiens continue to lurk as a team who intends to outbid the Penguins and Red Wings.
