Jaromir Jagr Not Returning to NHL

  Last week we reported that Jaromir Jagr looked like he was on the verge of signing a two-year contract to stay with Avangard Omsk, but could not confirm it. Today we are hearing, via Laurie at Beyond the Blueshirts , that there is indeed a deal in place ,although there are still contract details to be worked out.

“Jagr will be on our team next year,” Bardin explained. “That is absolutely accurate. The details will become known before the beginning of the season.”

If it is indeed a two-year contract it probably means that Jagr, now 38, is done with the Rangers and the NHL for good. This isn’t exactly shocking news as it did appear that his NHL days were done when he initially left the league for Europe, but at this point there is very little room for any sort of return.

As recently as this past February, during the Olympics, Jagr said he was still mulling over a return to the NHL. A devastating hit by Alex Ovechkin might have changed things though. Here is the video:

Even after the hit Jagr said he would still be able to handle the NHL, but he disappeared for the remainder of the Olympics. Since then Jagr has probably come to the realization that even though he may talk a big game and still has the ability to handle the puck at this point, his body is probably too old to handle the rigors and physicality of daily NHL life.

Once contract details come out we will update you.

Goodbye Jaromir Jagr, your mullet and Hitler-stash will never be forgotten.

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• April 23, 2010 -- Unconfirmed Rumor: Jagr Resigns with Omsk (0)
• April 21, 2010 -- Jaromir Jagr Rumor (2)