Nashville Predators: Jaromir Jagr Should Get a Chance

After 26 NHL seasons, hockey legend Jaromir Jagr is looking for a new home. The Nashville Predators should give him a chance, even at 45 years old.

In 26 NHL seasons, forward Jaromir Jagr has done just about everything that a hockey player can do. Not to mention, he’s seen quite a lot too. When Jagr entered the league in 1990, the Berlin Wall had just been torn down a few months earlier, the Soviet Union was still intact, and the World Wide Web hadn’t even been introduced yet.

Safe to say, Jagr has been around for a while.

Jagr would be a great fit for a 1 or 2 year deal for Nashville right now. Although center Ryan Johansen hasn’t been signed yet, the Predators would still have enough cap space to give Jagr a deal for $1-2 million after Johansen signs. Jagr isn’t in the market for a long-term deal, as he is 45 years old, so a cheap 1 year deal would be perfect.

Veteran Savvy and Leadership

In a previous article, I discussed the veteran leadership that Scott Hartnell brings to the Predators. Well let me just say that Jagr’s veteran savvy far surpasses that of Hartnell. Jagr had already won four Art Ross Trophies, his Hart Memorial Trophy, won two Lester B. Pearson Awards, two Stanley Cups, and been an eight time All Star before Hartnell was even drafted in 2000.

Jagr’s veteran leadership alone, at a cheap price, is almost enough to convince me that he deserves a deal. The Predators roster is chock full of young and inexperienced skaters, who could certainly benefit from playing with a living legend like Jagr. Of the 23 players who scored a goal for Nashville this year, 12 of them weren’t even alive when Jagr entered the league.

Jagr knows how to lead a team as well. His six seasons as a captain serve him well, as he has led his team and the players around him for many years. An NHL captain is a leader for life, and even if he isn’t wearing the ‘C’ or an ‘A’ on his sweater, he still will lead those around him. I imagine that a presence like that around a young roster in Nashville, would do wonders for everyone.

Consistent Production

Although Jagr has had a fantastic offensive career, his work since turning 40, is what impresses me. In his five seasons since turning 40, Jagr has churned out four 45+ point seasons, and even a 66 point year in the 2015-2016 season. Jagr and his timeless mullet continue to produce steady and reliable offense no matter what. Although the speed and physicality that was a staple of his game in his early years isn’t around as much, Jagr can still dish the puck and score when given the chance.

On top of consistent offense, Jagr also stays healthy. Most NHL players have a hard time making it through all 82 games when healthy, so the fact that Jagr played all 82 games last year, at 45 years old, tells me that he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.

The timeless wonder wants to keep playing as long as he can, however he hasn’t received much attention since becoming a free agent on July 1st.

Just Give Him a Chance

I know that Jagr is well past his prime.

I know that he’s 45 years old.

He still has good hockey left in the tank though. Jagr’s pass first style of play would work well with the Predators young scorers. He could be a perfect fit on the bottom half of the offensive lines. Jagr continues to produce solid offensive numbers, as he ages. He would be a cheap sign, since he isn’t in the market for a long-term deal.

Jagr brings the ultimate veteran presence into the locker room. He’s seen and done things in hockey that most Predator players can barely dream of. He is a living legend. All I’m asking for is a chance for a hockey wonder to have another chance to lace it up, before his body finally gives out.

Next: Top 5 Draft Picks in Predators' History

Although there hasn’t been much talk for Jagr this offseason, and virtually none involving Nashville, it couldn’t hurt to add another veteran leader and scorer to a young, offensive powerhouse of a team.