On February 26th, 2015, the Devils traded Jágr to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and a third-round pick in 2016.
Immediately upon arrival, Jagr brought a flair...a swagger...and a personality not seen on this team since it's inaugural season in 1993. Panther fans starving for any success or light at the end of the tunnel instantly fell in love with the gray-haired legend that continues to defy all odds in terms of longevity.
As a Panther Jagr was not only productive, but an ironman. He totaled 130 points in 181 regular season games, only missing three due to injury. In his first full season, he lead the team with 66 points and was a key part in the franchise's fifth playoff berth in history.
With all the promise the 2015-16 Florida Panthers showed, last year was a debacle. Injuries, coaching changes, and questionable personnel decisions resulted in such a painful fall from grace it was tough to watch.
GM Dale Tallon had hard decisions to make after the season was over. Re-signing Jagr was admittedly a gut-wrenching experience. He was so thrilled over what Jagr brought to the table during his tenure, but it was time to get younger, faster, and tougher.
Tallon never offered Jagr the free agent, and it took all summer for the Calgary Flames to finally sign one of the greatest players ever to a one-year deal.
Panther fans were upset, and rightfully so. Jagr was one of the few bright spots on a team that had drowned in a sea of pain. He put butts in the seats and his clever wit and use of social media was always a hit with the masses.
From a production standpoint, it was hard to argue with those wanting him to stay. But Tallon has his vision, and Jagr was not part of it.
As hard as moving on from Jagr was, he mentored and taught two very talented players how to act, train, and play as a professional.
Jonathan Huberdeau and Aleksander Barkov are two of the stars of this team. When the trade for Jagr was official, they both were surprised and in awe. The benefits of playing with a legend were immediately clear on and off the ice, and it looked like 2016-17 was going to be a breakout year for the two young guns.
A severed Achilles tendon in the last exhibition game against New Jersey cost Huberdeau 50 games while rehabbing. Various injuries allowed Barkov to only play in 61 games. The magic from the previous year was unattainable.
When Jagr arrived Barkov was only 19 years old, which is almost inconceivable because of the talent he possesses and the man-child he was upon arrival. But for a player that young to play with someone more than twice his age and that kind of wisdom...wow...what more could a budding star ask for?
When Jagr arrived in South Florida it was the right trade at the right time. It was just the shot in the arm this franchise needed. The Jagr jerseys that will be seen in Sunrise for years to come will be a constant reminder of the excitement he brought to the organization. What he passed on to Barkov and Huberdeau may pay off much bigger in the future.
Florida Panthers Blogger • 
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