2011 NHL Predictions: Jaromir Jagr's Preseason Dominance Vindicates Flyers' Risk

There were serious questions about the Philadelphia Flyers moves this offseason, but judging from preseason play, these were the right moves going forward.

Those risks that will pay off are embodied by veteran winger Jaromir Jagr and the talent he brings to his new team.

With four goals and two assists in three preseason games with the Flyers, the 39-year-old has shown that while his skates may have slowed, he has compensated with a different skill set than even Philadelphia expected.

Jagr knew he wouldn't be the elite player he once was. He told the Philadelphia Inquirer before the opening of preseason that he had a different expectation than that of his critics.

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"There's probably a lot of people wondering if I can still play. That's fine with me. I'm not 21 and trying to prove something with my words. We have to wait and see. I can promise you one thing: I'm going to give my best shot to play on a high level. I didn't come here for the money just to impress myself. I'm not saying I am going to be dominating. I'm not saying I'm going to be good. I can promise you I will do all the right things to play."

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Oh, this man can still play. It’s just different now.

While the Jagr of old could out-skate all of his competition with speed and skill, the new Jagr has figured out a powerful slap shot that he has mastered from the right side of the rink.

The transfer from being a finesse player to a heavy shooter is not an easy transition, especially when that player is stubborn and in his late 30s. While the move hardly ever works, Jagr’s left-handed shot on the right wing will give him numerous opportunities for clear shots on net.

It’s true that the Philadelphia Flyers will miss out on the scoring prowess of Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, but the talent they brought in to replace the former stars will be more than enough to make up for the point differential.

While Jagr won’t stack up the same numbers he did in Pittsburgh, if the team keeps with Claude Giroux playing center, 70-80 points this season isn’t out of the question at all.

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