Next on the list of being the ‘adult’ on the Philadelphia Flyers is none other than one of the three-best NHL players ever, Jaromir Jagr. After spending three years in the KHL, the then-39 year old Jaromir Jagr returned to the NHL, signing a one-year, $3.3 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. At the time, Jaromir Jagr was already a legend of the game, but his contract was considered a major risk at the time because of his age, long layoff from NHL hockey, and the amount of money he received. Despite this, Jagr proved all three concerns to be insignificant.
Nine years ago today, Jaromir Jagr gave 2 salutes in 18 seconds on 2/18/12 against Pittsburgh. #Flyers pic.twitter.com/QSeWjPHL8w
— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) February 18, 2021
Instead, Jaromir Jagr played in 73 games and finished third on the team in scoring, behind Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux, and ahead of the likes of Wayne Simmonds, Jakub Voracek, and Daniel Briere. In the playoffs, Jagr managed eight points in 11 games as the Philadelphia Flyers were bounced in the second round by the New Jersey Devils. Jagr’s lone goal in those playoffs would be his last NHL playoff goal, even as he soldiered on in the NHL for six more seasons until age 45 with the Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers, and Calgary Flames.
Without the contributions of Jaromir Jagr, it’s possible the Philadelphia Flyers miss the playoffs entirely that season. Although they finished third in goals in the NHL that season, the Flyers were already one of the worst defensively, placing 21st in the league in goals against. Jagr, despite his age, earned his contract in gold and was a key piece of a young Flyers team that needed his experience and skill. Perhaps the Flyers could have accomplished more had they managed to keep Jaromir Jagr beyond his one-year cameo.