For those of us who might have banked some hope on landing Jaromir Jagr again for another season or two in Pittsburgh - well, forget it. Regardless of what trades needed to be made to free up money for the veteran winger, the former Penguin landed a deal in Omsk, Russia that will net him a pretty penny - tax free I might add.
"It was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be," he added. "No question about it. I hate making changes."
The 36-year-old Czech signed a "letter of intent" with Avangard Omsk of the Continental Hockey League around 3 a.m. ET Friday, according to his agent Pat Brisson.
While Brisson and Jagr both refused to provide contract details, it's believed the deal is for two years plus an option for a third, and will pay Jagr around US$7 million tax-free - the equivalent of around $11 million a season in the NHL.
That's definitely a pretty penny to take in.
In the general vicinity of Czechoslovakia, Omsk isn't all that far - in comparison to the U.S. at least. Plus, he can potentially shepherd in the likes of 2007 Rangers first round draft pick Alexei Cherepanov who still has another year left on his contract before NHL eligibility. In a sense, in some sort of a homecoming for Jagr.
Yet I can't help but wonder - do you think it was a move for the money or a move for Jagr to attain some sort of 'happiness' with a return to the international leagues?
In either case, so much for Jagr winning another Cup.
And hah-hah to the Rangers' wingless offense.