Jackets Tried To Sign Jagr
The Blue Jackets, looking for top six forward help even before they traded franchise winger Rick Nash in July, attempted to make a splash in free agency by signing an NHL legend.
The Jackets extended a one-year, $4.2 million offer to future Hall-of-Fame winger Jaromir Jagr, The Dispatch has learned. GM Scott Howson confirmed the offer, but didn’t wish to comment further. Jagr, who turned 40 in February, signed a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Dallas Stars on July 3.
Blue Jackets senior adviser Craig Patrick, who drafted Jagr with the No. 5 overall pick in 1990 when he was GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins, would have had a heavy hand in the decision to make Jagr an offer.
Seen as a temperamental, flighty wunderkind early in his career, Jagr has become one of the NHL’s renaissance men in recent years. After playing three seasons in the KHL, Jagr returned to the NHL in 2011-12 last season and had a very good season with the Philadelphia Flyers: 19-35-54 in 73 games. He also drew raves for his work ethic and mentoring of young players, including former Jacket Jake Voracek.
