In all honesty it's just stupid.
I mean, what Jaromir Jagr does and is doing defies most sports logic in terms of an "aging" player.
He admits he's lost more than a step since his rookie NHL season in 1990. While he leaves the speed to the myriad of youngsters on the roster, he continuously shoots from the right places, has excellent puck control, and more often than not dictates play in the offensive zone.
When I was in my teens and early 20s, I guess subconsciously I was always happy everyone I was watching play professional sports was older than me. Now that I am Jagr's age I will admit there is a bit of a hanging head that everyone I'm covering, watching, and writing about are younger than me.
In the case of the Florida Panthers, WAY younger than me.
Except for Jagr.
I remember when John Daly stormed onto the scene in golf by winning the PGA Championship in 1991, as an alternate no less. He was a no-name that came out of nowhere but became one of the most popular figures in golf very quickly because he represented the "every man." His blonde mullet, mustache, and the ability to hit it over 300 yards made him a fan favorite then and to this day. Perhaps Jagr and Daly are in some strange way mullet brothers as Jagr's will be in full bloom again by season's end.
Jaromir Jagr is that inspiration to middle-aged men. Of course he didn’t come out of nowhere but his prolific nature at an age where he should be on a beach somewhere keeps him in the forefront of NHL conversations.
I feel I’m in the best shape of my life because I’m in week 8 of P90X 3 working out 30 minutes a day. Naturally I’d be a sissy in his eyes, because comparatively I am.
He is as strong if not stronger than all of his teammates and counterparts. His workout regiment is one of lore yet he’s never revealed the specifics. Whatever he does, he drinks from the Fountain of Youth to rehydrate.
Through 8 games this season he has 6 goals and 4 assists and leads the team in points. What he lacks in speed he owns in savvy.
Jagr has mentioned several times he’d like to play professional hockey until he’s 50 years old, whether it be in the NHL or not. We keep waiting for him to hit the wall and it just doesn’t happen.
He’s timeless.
He’s an enigma.
He’s invaluable as a player and a “coach.…
When GM Dale Tallon traded for him last February the fans and organization knew they were getting a great player from a historical perspective but could not have conceived of the shot in the arm he’d bring to the club.
Now that he’s here it’s remarkable to watch him work day in and out.
As Jagr scored the first goal on the way to a 6-2 romp by the Panthers tonight in Dallas, it’s hard to figure out whether you expected it or are in awe of it, or both. But whatever it is, it’s infectious and should have a long lasting effect on this team even after he’s gone.
At this rate Panther fans are hoping that time is later than sooner.
Dan Spiegel Florida Panthers Media