It's August 11 and Jaromir Jagr is still without a job. Despite his use of social media and history, the league's second leading scorer is still on the outside looking in. Whether it's his decline the second half of last year, age or combination of both, Jagr still is without a contract. I have been pretty consistent in my view that the Rangers should sign him and remain steadfast in that view.

The Rangers need another winger, that's pretty clear. Even if you believe - as I do - that Lias Andersson will fill the third line center role and David Desharnais, the fourth, a spot is still available. This is partially due to the expectation that Jesper Fast will miss the first month of the season and the lack of confidence I have in Matt Puempel retaining a full-time role. If Andersson and Desharnais do earn their respective spots, you will have J. T. Miller, Michael Grabner and probably either Pavel Buchnevich or Jimmy Vesey filling three-fourths of the wing spots. With Fast out, do you really want to rely on Puempel for the fourth wing? In addition, New York is still at 21 players with room and cap space for two more spots, this is where Jagr could fit in.

There is no question Jagr slowed last year. In addition, concerns about what use to be his diva-like status along with his age make him somewhat of a risky bet. But with age comes wisdom and you don't think some of the younger veterans - including Chris Kreider, Kevin Hayes and Mika Zibanejad - wouldn't benefit from having Jagr in the locker room. In addition, with leaders such as Rick Nash, Mats Zuccarello and Henrik Lundqvist already there, Jagr is unlikely to feel the need or desire to be the face of the franchise, as he was in his first go-around with the organization. That said, with Derek Stepan and Dan Girardi no longer in New York, having Jagr would provide the team a strong leader if needed.

Coach Alain Vigneault failed to rest Girardi, as he originally said he would during last off-season. So the concerns over how Jagr would be used, whereby he might be overplayed and not provided games off, is valid. Jagr, if brought in shouldn't play all 82 games, testing him periodically. Jagr might not like that but pointing out to him how he wore down last season, it should make that transition easier. In addition, Jagr himself knows he is not the same player he was 10 years ago and appears accepting of a reduced role, as he indicated to NHL.com.

"I know very well I'm not the same player like 10 or 15 years ago when I was able to win games by myself," he said. "It's up to the coach what position he wants to use me. Maybe it would be even better for me if I played on a second or third line because I would play against worse players and worse defensemen. I didn't have as much luck in my entire career, I always had to face the top defensemen. Even in Florida, I always played against the best, which was always very tough."

Signing Jagr now would give him a month to prepare for the season. Not only physically, where he might shift his training program, but especially mentally. Jagr could adapt to any situation, due to his experience, but why not get him in the organization as soon as position to aid that transition.

Like many others who are unsigned, the specter of playing in the Olynpics looms and can't be discounted. Jagr clearly would be an option and draw for the Czech Republic. He very easily could play in the country's top league, enabling him to stay in shape and suit up in his country's colors for the games. As Jagr also indicated to NHL.com, he already is considering that option, factoring in on which team to play so he could keep open the option signing with an NHL team during the season.

"That would be the advantage of playing for Kladno. One thing is I would be at home and the other is I would have a chance to leave for the NHL anytime there is an opportunity," he said. "Let's say some team deals with injuries and needs help, then I could pack my stuff in the next day and go. If I played in Extraliga, I wouldn't have such an option unless the Czech league season would be over."

While his advanced metrics show a player that still drives possession, as seen in he Hero chart, that doesn't fully show his decline last year. The same can be said by his Sean Tierney and GAR chart below (will embed the picture later):

https://twitter.com/ChartingHockey/status/882041304057880576

Age and the decline in production is clearly a factor but in my opinion, so was overuse. Dialing back Jagr's minutes while playing him on the third line and power play would optimize his presence and production. I would give Jagr a one-year deal with some performance bonuses as a way to lengthen the lineup. Plus, in the playoffs, when space is tight, having another veteran presence with experience despite his recent lack of production to me is a wise move.

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