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VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 23:  Jaromir Jagr #68 of Czech Republic skates with the puck during the ice hockey Men's Play-off qualification match between the Czech Republic and Latvia on day 12 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at UBC Thunderbird Arena o
VANCOUVER, BC - FEBRUARY 23: Jaromir Jagr #68 of Czech Republic skates with the puck during the ice hockey Men's Play-off qualification match between the Czech Republic and Latvia on day 12 of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics at UBC Thunderbird Arena oHarry How/Getty Images

NHL Free Agent Rumors: 7 Teams That Would Love to Sign Jaromir Jagr This Summer

Melissa Bauer-HerzogMay 30, 2011

Could a legend be returning to the NHL next season? Rumors circulating about Jaromir Jagr after the 2011 World Championships have lit the hockey world on fire.

The speculation by multiple sources has people wondering if Jagr is returning to the NHL after a two-season break to go play in the KHL. Rumors have been fueled by the news that Jagr may not be returning to the club next season, instead looking for somewhere else to go.

If the rumors are true, there are many NHL teams that would like to snag the two-time Stanley Cup winner, but who are the top seven that would love to grab the veteran? Let's take a look.

Edmonton Oilers

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ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 24: Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on March 24, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri.  (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
ST. LOUIS, MO - MARCH 24: Nikolai Khabibulin #35 of the Edmonton Oilers makes a save against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center on March 24, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

The Oilers aren't lacking on talent, but they are lacking in strong veterans to help push the young team Oilers management has put together. The majority of the Oilers are under 30, with only five men above the age, and Jagr would bring in some more veteran experience that could help shape the team in future years.

New York Rangers

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20:  Eric Fehr (C) #16 of the Washington Capitals and the Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers push and shove each other in front of the net along with their teammates in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 20: Eric Fehr (C) #16 of the Washington Capitals and the Marian Gaborik #10 of the New York Rangers push and shove each other in front of the net along with their teammates in Game Four of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during

The Rangers helped revive Jagr's career after a stint with the Capitals, and Jagr can be an asset in helping the team regain its former glory in the playoffs, something it's had trouble with in recent years.

Jagr scored 71 points in his last regular season with the Rangers (and in the NHL) in addition to helping the team advance to the second round of the playoffs that year with 15 points in 10 games. Bringing Jagr back could be exactly what the Rangers need next year.

Montreal Canadiens

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BOSTON, MA - APRIL 27:  Andrei Kostitsyn #46 of the Montreal Canadiens leaves the ice after losing to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 27, 2011 in Boston
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 27: Andrei Kostitsyn #46 of the Montreal Canadiens leaves the ice after losing to the Boston Bruins in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at TD Garden on April 27, 2011 in Boston

Jagr showed amazing chemistry with Habs center Tomas Plekanec during Worlds, where the two played on the same line for eight games.

The chemistry that can be made stronger between the two in an 82-game season would be a major allure for the Canadiens.

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Pittsburgh Penguins

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PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27:  Tyler Kennedy #48 of the Pittsburgh Penguins eyes a puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 27, 2011 i
PITTSBURGH, PA - APRIL 27: Tyler Kennedy #48 of the Pittsburgh Penguins eyes a puck against the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game Seven of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Consol Energy Center on April 27, 2011 i

Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and...Jaromir Jagr? It looks like the past meeting the present, but Jagr could be the missing puzzle piece they need.

It's no secret that the Penguins want to find a winger that works better for Crosby, and Jagr has had success with the team and was the best winger in the league at one point. Plus, they could play him with Malkin for another dream line. It is really a win-win for the Penguins.

Toronto Maple Leafs

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NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 06: Joffrey Lupul #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEWARK, NJ - APRIL 06: Joffrey Lupul #19 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 6, 2011 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

The Leafs need something to lift them up. The team did try to make a late surge during the regular season, but Jagr could bring the experience needed to help the team make the playoffs and give Toronto something to cheer about.

The Leafs need a refreshing of their roster if they hope to make the playoffs next year, and signing Jagr could be a step in the right direction.

Florida Panthers

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SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 9: Bill Thomas #37 of the Florida Panthers is congratulated after scoring the game winning goal against the Washington Capitals on April 9, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 1-0. (P
SUNRISE, FL - APRIL 9: Bill Thomas #37 of the Florida Panthers is congratulated after scoring the game winning goal against the Washington Capitals on April 9, 2011 at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, Florida. The Panthers defeated the Capitals 1-0. (P

The Panthers are another young team (the oldest player is 34 years old) that could use Jagr's guidance and experience to shape up.  If the Panthers hope to compete in coming seasons, just one season of the players playing alongside one of hockey's best veterans would be something that would only make them stronger in the long run.

Atlanta Thrashers

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MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 29:  Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Atlanta Thrashers makes a pad save on the puck during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 29, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.  (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty I
MONTREAL, CANADA - MARCH 29: Ondrej Pavelec #31 of the Atlanta Thrashers makes a pad save on the puck during the NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre on March 29, 2011 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. (Photo by Richard Wolowicz/Getty I

Another part of the NHL surrounded by rumors, the Atlanta Thrashers didn't live up to expectations this year after their big trade with the Blackhawks during the offseason last summer, finishing 25th in the league. While the Thrashers have experience on the team, a player that can build team confidence is needed. Jaromir Jagr could definitely be that confidence builder.

If the Thrashers signed Jagr, they would not only get a great player to help their team on the ice, but they would also get a successful veteran that would help their multiple youngsters (there are 11 players under 25 on the roster) learn what to do both on and off the ice.

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