The Top Ten Most Important People in Rangers' History: No. 5 Jaromir Jagr

Jaromir Jagr was acquired in a time of embarrassment for the New York Rangers. It was the 2003/04 season and after another year of playoff promises, the team struggled horribly. Then Glen Sather traded Anson Carter to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jagr. The trade was given both positive and negative reactions; it was a bad trade because it only brought in another washed up superstar on his way out, but it was good because they team only gave up Carter and not any youth, something done way too many times in years past. As the season wound down, Jagr played in 31 games scoring 15 goals and adding 14 assists, a stat not bad for a player on a struggling team. The team was booed mercilessly night in and night out, including Jagr. Little did fans know what they had coming with #68.

After the lockout and before the start of the 2005/06 season, the Rangers were picked to finish in either second to last or in dead last. Yeah Jagr was a future hall of famer but he was old and washed up. But did he ever prove the critics wrong when by the end of the season Jagr scored 54 goals and added 69 assists while setting franchise records for both goals and points. Jagr single handily carried the team all season long and into the playoffs where the team fell in the first round. Even with the loss, the fans cheered the Rangers letting them know they were thankful, and Jagr was on the receiving end.

That is why he ranks so highly on the list, because he single handily lifted this team out of the dark ages and brought respect back to the franchise. The new era of Rangers’ hockey had arrived the moment Jagr put on the blue jersey. In 277 games with the Rangers, he has 124 goals and 195 assists for 319 points. He also won the Lester B. Pearson award as most valuable player as voted on by fellow players, in 2006. The only question that remains is this: will he re-sign with the team? He has stated that he will finish his career here and I do believe that a signing is imminent.

Note: This is the sixth in a series of ten articles detailing the top ten most important people in Rangers’ history. Stay tuned for more over the coming days.