Mike Sielski at the Wall Street Journal takes a look at Jaromir Jagr’s return to MSG this Saturday for the first time since returning to the NHL…
“On Saturday, he will face the Rangers for the first time in this, his renaissance season in the league. He has not skated in Madison Square Garden since the 2008 playoffs, the conclusion of his tenure with the Rangers, and at age 39, he returns not as an old-timer marking the days until his career ends but as an ever-formidable opponent. In 18 games with the Flyers, he has 17 points, playing right wing on the team’s top line.”
Sielski also wonders what might have happened if the Rangers had re-signed Jagr citing the Rangers lack of playoff success since his departure and their scoring problems this season (47 goals in 17 games).
…hindsight is 20/20 so it’s always easy to look back and criticize a move, but the Rangers lack of success and offense since he took off for the KHL prove that the Blueshirts have missed the aging superstar. Especially when you look at the blown 3-1 series lead vs. Capitals in 2009 and the Blueshirts missing out on the playoffs by a point in 2010. You have to assume he would have had positive effects on both those situations.
…having said that it’ll be good to see Jagr back at MSG again, even if it is with the Flyers. I hope Rangers fans give him the proper recognition on Saturday, because to me there really is no reason to boo a guy that put the Rangers franchise on his back and brought them back to respectability. No matter what jersey he’s wearing.
Remember to follow me on Twitter & Facebook or e-mail me at [email protected].
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
