Free agent frenzy has commenced and it’s officially the time of year when players find their new home and become a whole lot richer in the process.
Jaromir Jagr, 45, is no stranger to free agency. According to reports, he and the Florida Panthers are parting ways. Therefore, the Ageless Wonder can be pursued.
During his time with the team, The Czech native statistically made history and helped transform the Panthers into a legitimate contender in the process. Here is a look at some of Jagr’s best moments with Florida.
He led the team in points during the 2015-2016 season
At age 44, Jagr led the Panthers with 66 points in 79 games. He also led the way in goals with 27. Florida finished eighth in league scoring with 2.83 goals for per game; 17 spots ahead of where they were the previous season (2.41).
Leading the way to the playoffs.
That same year, Florida reached the postseason for the first time since 2011-2012. Though he only scored two points through six games, Jagr became just the fifth player to reach 200 career playoff points. It was his 18th time reaching the postseason, and just the fifth time for the Panthers.
Wow.
He missed just three games over the last two seasons.
Everyone can agree that number is pretty impressive for a player in his mid-40s. In total, he finished with 130 points in 181 games during his time with the team.
Jagr moves into third on all-time goal list
On February 20, 2016, during a game against the Winnipeg Jets, Jagr scored his 742nd goal to move past Brett Hull for third on the all-time goals list. He currently sits at 765, and is only behind Gordie Howe and Wayne Gretzky in history.
(Jeff Sanzare/NHLI via Getty Images)
Mario Jr. moves into second on all-time points list.
On December 22, 2016, Jagr achieved another milestone by passing Mark Messier to move one spot behind Gretzky on the all-time points list. It came on an awkward assist on a goal scored by Aleksander Barkov. The point was his 1,888 and he finished the regular season with 1,914.
Interesting fact: the age difference between Jagr and Barkov is 24 years. Hope that gave you some perspective.
(Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
He may not be what he used to be, but Jagr is still producing at a relatively impressive rate. It will be interesting to see if he chooses to hang’em up, or attempt to capture a third playoff ring.
