Jagr Bomb: Jaromir Jagr Will Be Back in the NHL

So how big a thrill was it to run into Jaromir Jagr at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas a few weeks back? Pretty darn interesting considering he was one of my favorites growing up playing the game, and because I had ripped on him in numerous articles on the Bleacher Report...sorry Jagr, my bad!

I sat down beside him and his brother at one of the tables, he was more impressive in stature than I thought and smelled like how I would think Pierce Brosnan would smell. I placed my bet and asked if Jaromir would mind taking a photograph with me.

His brother quickly said no and that Jagr probably wouldn't want to be photographed in the casino, so after losing $500 I was on my way, and figured maybe I was right about this guy after all.

About a half an hour later as I was circling the casino looking for women, like a coyote searching for a marmot, I was approached by Jagr. "So you want a picture?" he said in his broken Czech English. I was floored as I said yes and shook his hand. His hands were massive as well-no wonder he had such a good wrist shot.

His brother quickly snapped a couple shots and I began to tell him how I had been a big fan, and wore number 68 in my last year of midget hockey and had a bad mullet like he once did.

I had a quick conversation with him and asked if he was done with the NHL.

His mood got serious and he said that he was hoping to return one day and win one more Stanley Cup. His heart had been in New York and he hoped to get his confidence back in the Russian Super League and hopefully come back to New York.

It's clear that it is not about the money anymore, but it is personal with big number 68. He wants to prove to the fans, his critics, and most of all himself that he is still the best in the world and can lead a team to hockey's biggest prize.

After my quick meeting with him, well I kind of hope he can too.