If you were a hockey fan in the early 90’s, you probably remember watching Rock’em-Sock’em tapes and being amazed by the different goals and saves from each year. One of the standouts each time, was none other than the mullet-donning Pittsburgh Penguin winger Jaromir Jagr. He was a star of the videos not just because Don Cherry couldn’t pronounce his name correctly (Yammy, for those who don’t remember) but because he was constantly scoring highlight goals.
Now, two decades later and the ageless wonder is still going strong. Who would have known back then that we were watching a player who would go down as one of the greatest offensive players in the history of the NHL. We all knew he was great, but exactly how great was a lesson still to come.
After notching an assist last night, Jagr is now just 14 points behind Mark Messier for second place all time in NHL scoring at 1873. He ranks third in goals with 750, and sixth in assists. This season he’ll turn 45 years old, something only Gordie Howe and Chris Chelios have accomplished while still playing in the NHL, and if he stays healthy he’ll play in his 1700th career game (he currently ranks sixth all time in GP with 1640).
Those 14 points are almost a certainty, as Jagr is still producing at his advanced age. Last season saw the winger score 27 goals and 66 points, which put him just outside the league’s top-20. Again this season he has five points already, a solid pace for a middle-aged hockey player.
The most amazing thing about Jagr approaching second all-time isn’t just his age, or the brand of hockey that he’s continued to play throughout shifts in the game (he can still shield a puck better than most in the league), it’s that right in the middle, he left. Jagr spent three seasons in the KHL between 2008-11 when he was 35, only to return to the NHL and record another 274 points (so far).
Had he stayed in the NHL, he’d likely be the second player ever (joining Wayne Gretzky) to score 2000 points – although, perhaps he’ll do it anyway; he’s said he’d like to play until he’s 60.
For many fans, it’s easy to forget that you’re watching history when it happens on a nightly basis. The greatest players of the game aren’t remembered as such until they finally retire, or are forced out of the game. Instead of waiting to cherish memories of one of the greatest players of this or any generation, tune into a Florida Panthers game (they take on the Washington Capitals tomorrow night) and watch Jaromir Jagr play hockey. You won’t see many more like him.
The Jamie Moyer of hockey.
lol. Except talented.
You mean Bartolo Colon
Jagr would rank 6th best ever in my book. The top 3 are on most people’s list Gretzky, Orr and Lemieux. Most people would put Howe forth. The fifth spot would be between Jagr and Mike Bossy and although Bossy only played 10 years I would have to give him the nod. He averaged 57 goals a year over his career nobody has come close. Gretzky’s average is just under 45. It is hard to compare forwards to defense. Larry Robinson should be in the top 5 or 6 also. 20 years straight making the playoffs and a career plus minus of 730 is crazy.
What about Lidstrom Darrin? 20 years of playoffs (every year of his career), 1142 points (another 183 in the playoffs), 7 Norris Trophies and 4 Stanley Cups.
It’s recency maybe, but personally I have Lidstrom ahead of Jagr and Bossy.
Yeah I would put Lidstrom at the top too. It is funny how Messier is second all time and doesn’t even make most people’s top 10 list. Also I know his stats don’t show it but the best player I have seen in the last 20 years was Pavel Datsuyk. I think he may have been the most skilled player ever.