Okay so it’s pretty hilarious that fans voted Arizona Coyotes journeyman enforcer John Scott as the Pacific Division captain in the 2016 NHL All-Star Game. The NHL fans have been expressing their disregard for the All-Star format(s) for sometime and this move definitely solidifies how much of a joke it really is. But the real story at the 2016 NHL All-Star Game is the Atlantic Division Captain and Florida Panthers leading producer, Jaromir Jagr.
Last night when the Florida Panthers defeated the Minnesota Wild on the backs of Jagr’s two goal night and Al Montoya’s 39-save effort it became more real than ever that Jagr might be the best player of all time.
Hear me out…
In today’s NHL it takes a special kind of player to make into his late thirties as a productive member of the roster. Remember Nicklas Lidstrom? The swedish defender retired at 42. Jagr, who is now 43 years old and hopes to play at least one more year in the NHL if not more, is currently the leading scorer of his first place Florida Panthers. Think about that for a moment.
The Panthers are sitting at the bottom of the standings while Jagr has some fun. No, they are competing for a Division title and have won nine straight games to overtake Montreal for the division lead.
And while that’s happening Jagr has notched 28 points in 36 games. That’s a scoring rate of .78 points per game. He’s played 36 of 39 contests for the Panthers which would average out to him skating in 92% of his team’s games or a total of 76 games. So at 76 times his .78 points per game pace Jagr would be on pace for 59 points… as a 43 year old who spent a handful of years away from the NHL in his late thirties…..
It’s okay if there are shivers running up your spine right now, it’s been known to happen when talking about Jagr and it’s scientific name is Jagritis. How can you not love Jaromir Jagr?
Jagr: The New Symbol Of Battery Companies Worldwide
Even though Jagr has already cracked some jokes about his inability to make it through a 3-on-3 tournament due to this age the fact of the matter is that Jagr is in better shape than guys who are 20 years younger than he.
Fans-I was afraid,that 3on3 all-Star game may kill me,now,I am more afraid,fighting John Scott 6,8 300 during All-Star, kill me for sure
— Jaromir Jagr (@68Jagr) January 2, 2016
I mean just watch this video of his off-season training regimen. Madness… it’s just madness. What if every young NHL player took it on themselves to train like Jagr did? Again shivers at this point are normal.
He’s dedicated himself to a life of hockey. He’s even convinced that he’ll be able to play competitively until he’s 50.
“I know I’m going to play to 50. I know that – if I don’t get injured. I never said I’m going to play here (in the NHL) until I’m 50. That’s a different story. You can always play ’til 50. There’s a lot of guys that play until 60, you know, just beer hockey.” ~ Jagr in an interview with TSN (October of 2015)
He’s played over 1,500 games, scored 735 goals and 1,830 points. And at this point in his career Jagr makes his living by having some of the smoothest hands in the league. The guy is a machine. He never stops. The energizer bunny just retired when he heard about the start to Jagr’s 2015-16 season.
Just admit it. You love Jaromir Jagr.
All-Star Game Is Broken, Jaromir Jagr Is Not
For a good chunk of years fans and players alike have had some harsh criticism of the All-Star format(s) that have been tested out. The 3-0n-3 tournament will add some competitive nature to the event but the system still allowed for a player like John Scott to be featured. Having his name in the mix might just be the catalyst that the NHL needed to move on with a new plan.
Until then there are still things to be excited about, and in 2016 there is one in particular that fans should be drooling over – Jaromir Jagr’s 13th NHL All-Star appearance. Wowzers.
Even with Jagr’s immensely impressive production this year, you never know when the last time you’ll get to see him on the ice will be. For fans of hockey, worldwide, seeing Jagr dominate the NHL well into his 40’s is like witnessing an alien spacecraft hovering above your home. So while Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux and others have garnered the title of best player ever, the truth of the matter is that Jagr is towering over those names.
43-years and strong Jags’…keep it burnin’. Feel free to give John Scott a few pointers, I’ve heard he’s a quick learner.
So one last time, for Pete’s sake, love Jaromir Jagr…
What do you think about Jagr? Is he the best player of all time? Comments are welcome below!