The new look Philadelphia Flyers have been given new faces. A fresh and vibrant look that Flyers fans have not been accustomed to in the past. Gone are the days of overspending on veterans out of their prime. Welcome to the new, patient, Flyers front office staff that is building this new team from the ground up.
This 2017-18 Flyers team should have the likes of young budding stars such as Nolan Patrick, Oskar Lindblom, Samuel Morin, Robert Hagg/Travis Sanheim/Philippe Myers. However, there is one veteran that is still available in free agency, and he would not command much money. How about we make the case for the Flyers to sign the “Ageless Wonder,” Jaromir Jagr?
Yes, yes I know, General Manager of the Flyers Ron Hextall has clearly stated recently that they have no interest in Jagr. For good reason…as the Flyers have some up and coming rising stars. However, here are four reasons the Flyers should sign Jagr.
Everywhere I look,I read:all FA getting calls from10-12teams. Me0 calls.On the contrary,I'm trying to call them,and no ones picking up.????
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) June 29, 2017
1. Power Play
The Flyers sat in the middle of the pack on the power play for the 2016-17 season. They had a 19.5% power play percentage rate, which was good for 14th best in the NHL. If the Flyers want to be considered contenders, then this area of their special teams needs to improve.
Jagr has been a consistent power play guru his entire career. He has registered 217 career power play goals. Last season he registered 8 power play goals for the Florida Panthers. Ironically enough during his brief stint with the Flyers he also tallied 8 power play goals.
The “Ageless Wonder,” Jagr could replace the missing Brayden Schenn on the top power play unit. Schenn led the Flyers with 17 power play goals last season, and Wayne Simmonds finished a slew behind Schenn with 16 power play goals. Jagr commands presence when he is on the ice. Especially in a man up situation. He could be the missing key to rejuvenate the Flyers power play success.
2. Guidance/Mentor
Who else is better than Jagr to have your young studs look up to?! Jagr is notoriously known for having keys to the practice facilities of each team he has played for. During his short tenure with the Flyers in 2011-12, Jagr often locked up the Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees, NJ after practices concluded. He would often find himself skating and shooting well after practices.
This type of determination could really rub off on the youth. Jagr is a veteran who has seen just about everything. Working hard and practicing hard could push the young studs to the next level. There is a reason he is second in the NHL in career points, and 5th in career playoff points.
3. Claude Giroux
Fresh off returning to the NHL from the KHL in 2011-12, Jagr showed the world he still had the goods to be successful in the NHL. He was paired with Giroux and Scott Hartnell on the top line, and Jagr finished with 54 points (19 goals, 35 assists). Moreover, Giroux had a career year in Jagr’s brief stint with the Flyers. For the season, Giroux tallied 28 goals, and 65 assists for a total of 93 points in 77 games played.
Giroux is a dynamic player at times, but he has been very inconsistent a year after Jagr’s departure from Philly. Yes, Giroux has had his fair share of injuries throughout the season. But, if the Flyers signed Jagr to a one-year deal it would offer Giroux no more excuses for inconsistencies. The top line would like Jagr, Giroux, Voracek/Simmonds, and they are three to four dynamic players in their own right.
4. He’s a Natural
Jagr is one of the most prolific goal scorers to ever play the game. He currently sits second on the NHL’s all-time scoring list, and has registered 765 goals, 1,149 assists, for a total of 1,914 career points.
Grant it, Jagr’s point production has dipped in his latter years. For instance, last season while playing for the Florida Panthers Jagr registered 16 goals, and 30 assists for a total of 46 points in 82 games played. However, these numbers are almost equivalent to the loss of Brayden Schenn, whom the Flyers traded to the St. Louis Blues. Last season, Schenn garnered 25 goals, and 30 assists for a total of 55 points in 79 games played. Jagr proves he still has some left in the tank to keep up with the young rising stars of the game.
Make no mistake about it the Flyers are headed in the right direction. In the near future were going to see the youth infusion in full force. One thing is certain Flyers fans the future is bright in Flyer land.
Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
