Jaromir Jagr Isn't The Answer In New Jersey

There's little doubt in the minds of hockey fans that Jaromir Jagr has had a brilliant career. He currently ranks eighth on the all-time scoring list, with 1,688 points. He is one of only twelve players to top the 1,000 assist mark, and he is tenth in goals with 681. The man is no doubt a first-ballot Hall of Famer. After a rather cryptic and confusing video was posted on Jagr's Facebook page, one in which he said that his future in the NHL was "black", he has decided to continue his career after signing a 1-year, $2 million contract with the New Jersey Devils.

As for the contract itself, the deal is really worth $4 million, but Jagr only gets that figure if he plays in 45 games next season. It's a number he should reach easily, barring a catastrophic injury. Since performance bonuses count against the cap (teams are allowed to go over the cap by 7.5%, or $4,822,500 for next season, in performance bonuses), it allows the Devils some leeway on their bottom line should Jagr get hurt and miss substantial time.

That much is fine with what the Devils did. They got a serviceable player for a good price in a free agency year where teams, including the Devils themselves, are wildly overspending for marginal players. I still don't like the signing, and I don't think it does the Devils any favors this season. Here are my reasons:

1. Jagr doesn't fill their biggest positional need. Jagr plays the right side, which is a position that the Devils aren't exactly stacked at, but they did sign Michael Ryder to be a goal-scoring RW. Look over to the other wing. Want to know who their best left wing is right now? Ryane Clowe. Yes, that Ryane Clowe, who posted three goals and three concussions in time split between the Sharks and Rangers last season. Now, Jagr could play alongside Clowe and Travis Zajac and have a nice season... or he could have those same linemates and not produce. He could also be slotted in the second line with fellow countryman Patrik Elias and what at this point looks like a revolving door on the left side (could be Rostislav Olesz; I think they'd be better served with giving Stefan Matteau a shot). Again, feast or famine. It simply isn't a good fit for either party from this aspect.
2. He isn't the same player anymore. Let's be real, folks - this isn't 1996. Jagr's nearing the end of his career, and the Devils should have spent that money on younger free agents, because this is a team in rebuilding mode. Jagr's no longer a 100-point guy. Hell, he isn't even a point per game guy. I think he can give the Devils about 50 points, which isn't bad, but it's nothing to call home about. Furthermore, it certainly doesn't replace Ilya Kovalchuk's production, and I'm not sure it even replaces David Clarkson. Now, if Jagr and Clowe were one player with their combined talents, that would be sufficient to replace Clarkson. As it stands, they're getting a player who needs to have short shifts, can't play much defense, and hogs the puck at times. The Jagr of old was a complete player.
3. This isn't exactly a team on the cusp of a Cup. At this point in his career, Jagr is best utilized playing for a team that he can put over the top. Had the Devils made a deal for Jagr at the 2012 trade deadline, we might be talking about how they were the champions that year and not the Kings. Right now, after Zach Parise, Kovalchuk, and Clarkson all bolted in about a year's time? I don't think it makes sense. Keep in mind that they lost the latter two guys from a team that finished last in the Atlantic. At the time of this post, I'm not sure I consider the Devils to be better than any team in the newly-formed Metropolitan Division. What does this mean for Jagr? It means that he's likely going to be dealt at the deadline, once again being a rent-a-player for a contender, just as he was for Boston last season. 

Now, you could argue that there are positives in this. It could be said that Jagr might help mentor the young talent and make them better. It's possible, but the Devils already have a core of older guys (plus Zajac) to do that. Of course, Jagr does provide scoring on a team that sorely lacks it. I feel that they still sorely lack it, as Ryder might be their only bonafide sniper, but it can't hurt them offensively. Lastly, neither side has much to lose; the Devils only have to pay half the contract if Jagr gets hurt, can always trade him, and Jagr would be welcomed on almost any team regardless of his level of play because he's so experienced. 

What all this adds up to is that the Devils are getting a hockey legend who is now a shell of his former self, which is still a slightly above average top six forward. He'll help them, but not enough to make a substantial jump in the standings (read: playoffs) and he's already my top pick to get dealt at next season's trade deadline. I sure hope Lou Lamoriello thinks it was worth it after next season.