Jaromir Jagr: NHL Return Possible In 2010

Jaromir Jagr's NHL career might not be over after all. 

In an interview conducted after last night's IIHF game between Canada and the Czech Republic, the 37-year-old winger left open the possibility of returning to the NHL after next season.

"I'm going to finish my contract in Omsk this year, I've got one year left, and then I'm going to make a decision,'' Jagr told the Edmonton Journal. 

After the New York Rangers decided not to resign the veteran winger last summer and no other acceptable NHL offers surfaced, Jagr accepted a two year contract from Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (Russia).

Despite missing NHL action, Jagr says the Kontinental League has provided a breath of fresh air and a chance to recharge his batteries.

"For 17 years, 18 years, day by day there was so much pressure,'' Jagr said of the NHL. "I don't know how to describe it. If I was on a third or fourth line I would probably be in the NHL, because you don't have to produce every night. After a while, you just need a rest. You know, clear your head.

"It's tough in the NHL; you have to produce on a high level. And everybody expects you to do it because you make a lot of money. And I never minded it. I always want to be that guy," Jagr told the Journal.

During the season, several NHL teams expressed an interest in bringing Jagr back to add some offensive spark.  Doing so would've required some form of compensation by pay to his current team.

One such team was the Edmonton Oilers who were believed to have given him the best NHL offer in free agency.  In the interview Jagr praised the organization.

"I want to thank those guys,'' Jagr said. "And if I ever got there, they would be my No. 1 pick, because they showed me the interest first. I never forget that. I respect that and they would be my first pick.''

Jagr had a productive season this year for Omsk netting 25 goals and 28 assists in 55 games.