Originally, new Dallas Stars forward
Jaromir Jagr was not going to play in yesterday's Extraliga game between HC Rytiri Kladno (Kladno Knights) and HC Litvinov. As with most returning NHL players, Jagr understood the need for caution. No one wants to risk injury right before heading back to North America.
But Jagr isn't most players. He is an icon in the Czech Republic, and also the owner of the Kladno team. He understands the responsibilities that come along with the adulation, and he genuinely hated the idea of letting down anyone who had bought a ticket to see him before he left the Czech Republic for Dallas.
So Jagr played in yesterday's game, strictly for the benefit of the Kladno fans. The future Hall of Famer also gave his team one last spark on the ice, as he logged a pair of assists and helped set up the game-winning goal in the third period of a 3-2 victory. At the end of the game, he accepted a lengthy ovation from the crowd -- all of whom were standing on their feet.
Jagr, who will turn 41 next month, finished his stint in the Extraliga with 55 points (24G, 31A) in 33 games played. That ranks second in the league to 27-year-old Trinec forward Martin Ruzicka (60 points in 37 GP). Jagr departs with the team in pretty good shape to make the playoffs at the end of the regular season.
The club is currently in fifth place, with 61 points. The team could very well move down in the standings with the departure of its contingent of NHL players -- most notably including Tomas Plekanec and Marek Zidlicky -- but Jagr and company provided a little bit of a cushion between the Knights and the clubs that would be fighting for the final postseason spots.
Of greater concern to Stars fans is the fact that Jagr was not always entirely healthy during his time with Kladno. Off and on, he's experienced some of the same lower-body issues that affected him in the second half of last season with Philadelphia (basically from the Winter Classic onward after he experienced two previous -- but minor -- groin pulls earlier in the season).
Right now, though, Jagr seems to be reasonably healthy. He appears ready to come in and help out the Stars' top line and perform well during the shortened season. Jagr always keeps himself in tremendous physical condition; so much so that he inspires teammates to work even harder on their own conditioning. However, the bigger concern is that he will likely always be at risk of groin pulls/lower body issues for the remainder of his NHL career.
The NHL game is far more taxing physically than the Extraliga style, in addition to players possessing the world's highest skill and speed levels. Jagr remarked early during the lockout that it would not be a problem for his body to hold up to the Czech-style game for a few more years but his time to withstand NHL punishment is running short.
Nevertheless, Jagr seems ready to get off to a strong start for the Stars. He should have a similarly positive effect in Dallas to the one he had in Philadelphia last season.
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