Jagr stunningly signs with Flyers

You may want to circle December 29th on your calendar. That’s the date the Philadelphia Flyers head to Pittsburgh. That game just got a whole lot juicier with the Flyers unexpectedly signing Jaromir Jagr today to a one-year, $3.3 million contract. Pittsburgh and Detroit dropped out before free agency opened.

Jagr, 39, has not played in the NHL for three seasons, but has been rumored to make a comeback for weeks/months. He has played with Avangard Omsk in the KHL ever since leaving the NHL after the 2007/08 season.

In three years with Omsk, Jagr tallied 145 points in 155 games. In 18 previous years in the NHL with the Penguins, Rangers and Capitals, he racked up 1,599 points in 1,273 games.

Earlier this week it looked as if Jagr was closing in on a deal with the Penguins, but their one-year, $2 million offer obviously didn’t contend with the $3.3 million deal Jagr got from the Flyers. Jagr opting to sign with Philly over Pittsburgh definitely adds a new wrinkle to that rivalry!

One of the big questions is how Jagr will fit in with the Flyers. GM Paul Holmgren got rid of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter in part of because of the things they did off the ice; also, Richards’ leadership in the locker room was in question. Now they’re bringing in a veteran that has a substantial ego. Also, the contract seems a bit too much for a 39-year-old that hasn’t played in the NHL for three years.

Also today, the Flyers have signed Max Talbot, Andreas Lilja and Jakub Voracek (RFA).

Until Brad Richards signs on the dotted line, this is the signing that sends shockwaves throughout the NHL.

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