Russian hockey club Avangard Omsk said on its website Friday that it had signed Jaromir Jagr for the upcoming season, just one day after the New York Rangers said they were moving ahead without the superstar.
The club in the Continental Hockey League announced the signing on its website but did not disclose the terms of the contract. Jagr played for Avangard during the NHL's lockout season in 2004-05.
Jagr has spent the last four years of his NHL career with the Rangers.
New York on Thursday signed longtime Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund to a two-year, $8-million US deal. Rangers general manager Glen Sather said he couldn't wait any longer for Jagr to commit to the team for next season.
"Jagr was very respectful when I talked to him and gave him the information that we're going to move on," Sather said.
"I kind of always got the feeling that maybe there was something in Russia that is really looking at him," Sather added. "We never got to that situation where I knew exactly what he was looking for, whether it was a one-year or a two-year [offer]…. It's pretty tough to negotiate with yourself."
Jagr, 36, had completed the final season of his seven-year, $78-million US contract.
Jagr led the Rangers with 71 points in the regular season but it was his lowest total in 16 seasons.
The Kladno, Czech Republic, native has scored 646 goals and 953 assists in 1,273 NHL games with New York, Washington and Pittsburgh.
He ranks 12th all-time in goals and ninth overall with 1,599 points. The right-winger has added 181 playoff points in his career, good for 11th on the all-time list.
Jagr won the Art Ross Trophy as top scorer in the NHL five times and captured the Hart Trophy in 1999 as most valuable player in the league.
He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins.
Sather said on Thursday we would be willing to talk with Jagr again "if things don't work out for him in Russia."
this league cant even keep its own players. what a joke.
The club in the Continental Hockey League announced the signing on its website but did not disclose the terms of the contract. Jagr played for Avangard during the NHL's lockout season in 2004-05.
Jagr has spent the last four years of his NHL career with the Rangers.
New York on Thursday signed longtime Vancouver Canucks captain Markus Naslund to a two-year, $8-million US deal. Rangers general manager Glen Sather said he couldn't wait any longer for Jagr to commit to the team for next season.
"Jagr was very respectful when I talked to him and gave him the information that we're going to move on," Sather said.
"I kind of always got the feeling that maybe there was something in Russia that is really looking at him," Sather added. "We never got to that situation where I knew exactly what he was looking for, whether it was a one-year or a two-year [offer]…. It's pretty tough to negotiate with yourself."
Jagr, 36, had completed the final season of his seven-year, $78-million US contract.
Jagr led the Rangers with 71 points in the regular season but it was his lowest total in 16 seasons.
The Kladno, Czech Republic, native has scored 646 goals and 953 assists in 1,273 NHL games with New York, Washington and Pittsburgh.
He ranks 12th all-time in goals and ninth overall with 1,599 points. The right-winger has added 181 playoff points in his career, good for 11th on the all-time list.
Jagr won the Art Ross Trophy as top scorer in the NHL five times and captured the Hart Trophy in 1999 as most valuable player in the league.
He won two Stanley Cups with the Penguins.
Sather said on Thursday we would be willing to talk with Jagr again "if things don't work out for him in Russia."
this league cant even keep its own players. what a joke.