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A couple weeks ago I suggested the Calgary Flames sign winger Jaromir Jagr and, as it turns out, they may just be considering it.
Sportsnet's Elliotte Freidman had this to say during a recent interview with the NHL Network (
transcription via FanRagSports):
“I know some teams that have kind of talked and taken a look at it,” noted Friedman. “I think Calgary has been one that has kind of looked at it. One of his former coaches, Glen Gulutzan, is coaching up there.
You could argue the Flames should stick with that they have but I think they'd be a better team with Jagr than without.
He recorded 46 points last season and was a more efficient point producer at 5v5 than the likes of Alex Radulov, Derek Stepan, David Krejci, Ryan Kesler, Alex Galchenyuk and Tyler Johnson, among many others. Regardless of his age, or lack of foot speed, he's found a way to remain productive.
If the Flames were to sign Jagr, they could ice something like this up front:
Johnny Gaudreau - Sean Monahan - Micheal Ferland
Matthew Tkachuk - Mikael Backlund - Michael Frolik
Kris Versteeg - Sam Bennett - Jaromir Jagr
Mark Jankowski - Matt Stajan - Curtis Lazar/Troy Brouwer/Spencer Foo
That looks like a forward core of a contending team and it's plenty good given the defense playing behind it.
There's reason to believe Jankowski, for example, may be ready to take on a larger role but if the Flames really want to contend this season, they'd almost certainly be better off with Jagr taking a 3rd line spot instead.
Injuries are inevitable, too, so it's not like Jankowski would be glued to the 4th line and never have the opportunity to play meaningful minutes.
If the Flames were to sign someone like Jagr now, they could also save themselves from trading assets at the deadline to bolster their forward group for a playoff run. Given how many picks the Flames have already parted with, they should be jumping at every costless opportunity to improve their roster.
We'll see if they do.
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