Be very, very careful
- Canada Cup

Trainspotting?
- JCSabs06

I'm afraid I can't disclose my source for the reference.

Exactly, he has maybe one year left, possibly two. After that, the paydays are over. We don't know what his financial situation is (there have always been rumors about his gambling), maybe he feels like he needs to make as much money as he can before it's all over. He doesn't owe anything to any one team, he's not breaking a contract for more money elsewhere. It's hard to begrudge a free agent for getting as much as he can. Most of us try to do the same in our own fields.
- Jeffmt

You're right, no one should begrudge him the right to hold out for what he deserves, but c'mon, at what point does an extra $500,000 make or break a deal for him? I don't know what he's made over his career, but I'm guessing it's somewhere in the realm of $100 million. He's not worth more than a couple million at this stage of his career. And if some feel he is, fine. But then he goes and says things like he'll play for the league minimum in Pittsburgh a few years ago and then signs with Philly for double that. I think the bigger issue here is, if he's looking for money, fine, come out and say it, but don't try and look like the humble player that ends up steeped in hypocrissy because he signs the best offer...

You may consider him a "savvy businessman" but to many fans he's just a greedy aging and waining super star that continues to try to find leverage to sweeten his own purse.

There's no doubt Jagr is a HOF'r, but this business of trying to squeeze blood from a turnip in the attempts to gain every last possible cent out of the teams interested in him is an embarassment IMO.

Players like Jagr should be looking for that last elusive chance to hoist the cup, not nickel and diming teams in the league they once dominated. Call it greed, call it selfishness call it fair business or whatever, but situations like this will do nothing but further perpetuate the stigma of being yet another European player that cares about nothing but his own agenda.

It's also sad to see such a highly respected and sought after player like Jagr tarnish his own legacy by holding the league hostage while using his negotiations as propoganda to garner more interest from leagues like the KHL.

Shame on Jaromir.
- MnGump

I couldn't agree more with you but the only problem is there are still GMs out there who are still wanting to sign him regardless.

You got to ask yourself if it's Jagr who is in the wrong or us for letting it happen???

But then you live in Texas.
- Blackstrom2

...and THAT is SAD. He's such a big part of the Penguins history. He just blew everything up.

Dallas payed what? $4.5M? That's a lot! He shouldn't be getting anything above $2.5M right now.
- Orpik44

If you thought you could get $2M more than you're worth why wouldn't you try?

If you thought you could get $2M more than you're worth why wouldn't you try?
- Hunkulese

I don't fault him for trying, what I fault him for is the way he's going about it. Especially over the past few years of making statements about how he owes the Pittsburgh organization and would play for the league minimum, then signing with Philly because they offered more... then telling media and Philly fans that he would like to stay in Philly and then signing with Dallas for yet more money.

Point is, if he's after the money that's fine. But he's trying to carry himself as the humble aging superstar that isn't after the mega contract and just wants to play, yet his actions have contradicted that image he's been portraying.

Now he's threatening to go to the KHL because no one is offering him that last big deal he's obviously trying to get. I say good riddence.

It been well known for a decade that Jagr was only after one thing. Money. Doesn't matter where or with who. Just who will pay the most. I don't buy this new "good guy" Jagr for a second. He still is selfish and only wants to cash in.
- Iggysbff

Not sure that wanting to play for the most money means "selfish." I realize mad youngsters that voted for Obama think millionaires = the devil, but players have a short shelf life. Jags continues to be a respected star in this league, and he plans to capitalize. I would do likewise, and frankly many charities would be very happy with that decision.

Don't hate because he pays more in taxes than you will ever see. That's not a knock on you or him; just let him sign where he wants. He isn't paid any more than any given team is willing to pay. He's not "squeezing" these savvy businessmen owners, guaranteed. If anything, I think he wants to be in the NHL -- and if he were greedy, he'd take a giant KHL contract and be done with all this.