On Jaromir Jagr …
Michael Langr of NHL.com: The 45-year old Jaromir Jagr didn’t think it would be so hard to get an NHL contract after his 46 point season.
“THE MOST SERIOUS NEGOTIATIONS I HAVE ARE WITH KLADNO. BECAUSE KLADNO HAS A SMART OWNER WHO KNOWS WHAT HE WANTS,” JOKED JAGR, WHO OWNS THE TEAM IN CZECH REPUBLIC’S SECOND-TIER PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE. “NO, REALLY, I DON’T HAVE A CLUE. I LEAVE IT ALL ON MY AGENT . THERE IS A COUPLE OF TEAMS THAT SHOWED INTEREST, BUT NOTHING SPECIFIC YET.”
Jagr is second in all-time scoring behind Wayne Gretzky with 1,914 points and second in all-time games behind Gordie Howe with 1,711 – 56 games behind Howe.
“I DIDN’T EXPECT IT WOULD BE SO HARD TO GET A JOB IN THE NHL THIS YEAR.”
If Jagr signs in the Czech Republic it would be with Kladno and not in the top league – Extraliga – so that he could keep the option of signing an NHL deal open during the season.
On the Arizona Coyotes …
Craig Morgan of FanRag Sports: Coyotes defenseman Jakob Chychrun had surgery on August 3rd and the Coyotes don’t plan on giving an update/timeline until training camp starts on September 14th.
At the time of the injury GM John Chayka was asked if Chychrun’s injury would lead him to adding another defenseman.
“YOU’RE ALWAYS PLANNING FOR INJURIES TO OCCUR,” HE SAID. “WITH THIS ONE IN THE OFFSEASON, IT ALLOWS YOU TO EXPLORE SOME OPTIONS, BUT WE’RE NOT LOOKING TO DO MUCH UNTIL WE BETTER UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE ON CHYCHRUN.”
Free agent options for the Coyotes could be Cody Franson, Dennis Wideman, Roman Polak and Francois Beauchemin. adds that the Coyotes haven’t shown much interest in Franson in the past.
The Vegas Golden Knights have defensemen available for trade, but they are mostly left-handed. Though Chychrun is left-handed it might make more sense for the Coyotes to look to add a right-handed defenseman. Alex Goligoski – Chychrun’s potential partner – is left-handed but would be playing on his off side with Chychrun.
