by @CruisingRay
The Jagr-O-Meter was started during the 2013-14 season to enable Jaromir Jagr fans around the world to monitor his progress for up to date information as 68 climbs the NHL’s career scoring charts. The Infographic was moved to this website for the 2015-16 season.
As he comes to the NHL for his 24th season, our personal message to Jagr is, “Thank you for honoring the NHL with another season in North America!”
Since his return from the KHL to the NHL for the 2011-12 season, Jagr has enjoyed good health and production while impressing teammates and fans in Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey and Florida. His career point total climbed from 1599 to 1914, eclipsing legends along the way. Dedicated to hockey and fitness, the 45-year-old Jagr is the oldest player in the NHL this season by four years.
Jagr waited all summer for the best-deal possible after he and the Florida Panthers parted ways the morning free agency started. Finally his search ended when it was announced Monday, Oct. 2 that Jagr signed a one-year deal with the Calgary Flames. It is Jagr’s ninth NHL team and his first based in Canada. His role at the season opens will likely be on the third line but Jagr has often risen to the top in his career and it won’t surprise your Jagr-O-Meter curator to see Jagr inch his way up the depth chart due to injuries to others or his performance. The five-time scoring champ is expected to have a positive influence on his new teammates.
What can the Flames hope for from Jagr this year? As recently as two seasons ago Jagr collected 66 points as the top scorer for the 2015-16 Atlantic Division winning Florida Panthers. That team was in upheaval last year due to injuries and philosophical changes and is going through another transition Jagr recorded 46 points in 82 games.
A half-dozen or so occupations ago I was a sports writer covering the Penguins which included early years of Jagr’s career. He was so shy then. Life and experience with English have made him among the league’s most quotable players with both humorous and introspective thoughts that only a person who has spent 27 of his years as professional hockey player can offer. In a sport where new players are coached through systems producing cookie cutter players playing cookie cutter hockey, Jagr finds a way to play with flair within the team concept. His game rates well within the fancy puck possession stats that the league is trying to inject into the consciousness of hockey fans.
Hope to have you along for the ride with stats, links and thoughts as Jagr starts the season 57 games behind Gordie Howe for games played and the league’s second all-time leading scorer with 1914 point including 765 goals and 1149 assists.If you’re at a game, your photos are welcome here and I’m always looking for cool picture and graphics for the Jagr-O-Meter.
Assorted links:
Calgary Flames Team website: flames.nhl.com
Quant Hockey: Career stats updated game by game by a hockey lover in Europe. Site enables you to find career leaders in any offensive category by clicking on the category you are researching.
http://www.quanthockey.com/nhl/records/nhl-players-all-time-points-leaders.html
Kladno Hockey Club: Before coming to the NHL Jagr played for this team in the Czech league as a teenager. Now he owns the team. It’s in Czech but some devices can translate to English. Follow them at:
https://twitter.com/RytiriKladno
The Traveling Jagrs, clad in different Jagr jerseys and hair styles from 68’s career, the Alberta-based Jagr fans gained league-wide recognition when they caught Jagr’s attention during a pre-game skate of a Dallas Stars game in Canada during the 2012-2013 season. Since then, they convene at games in Western Canada and make a road trip or two every year, playing street hockey with locals, posing for hundreds of pictures, and having a good time with local fans while honoring an all-time NHL legend. Follow them on twitter @68isgr8.
Ray Haluska aka Kladno Jagr, curator of the Jagr-O-Meter
jagrometer 