Testy Jagr returns to Pittsburgh to face Pens

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PITTSBURGHThe temptation is to call him hockeys version of an ageless wonder, but Jaromir Jagr would just as soon quietly overlook such an accolade.

So what if the 39-year-old Jagr has 30 points this season in 31 games and is a main reason why his centerman, Claude Giroux, leads the NHL scoring race with 44 points?

What hes been able to do for their power play what hes been able to do for Giroux has been pretty good, said Penguins coach Dan Bylsma of Jagr, who will hit Penguin ice for the first time as a Flyer Thursday at Consol Energy Center.

Hes been very good on that line. Hes been very good for their power play and those were a lot of things we saw him with our team and with a Evgeni Malkin and a Sidney Crosby.

Am I surprised? Not really. I know talking to Zbynek Michalek this summer and the guys that were at the World Championships he was a motivated, real good player there as well.

That was part of the reason we were interested.

Jagr said no to Pittsburghs offer last July and scorned The Burgh so badly, even Pens owner Mario Lemieux wont forgive him.

The betting line is Jagr receives the royal nasty by Pens fans. Count on him being booed the entire game.

Anticipating thisJagr predicted such weeks agoperhaps that is why No. 68 was so profoundly quiet and almost depressed Wednesday in Mt. Lebanon, meeting with longtime Pittsburgh media types.

The happy-go-lucky, carefree Jagr that has endeared himself this season to Flyers fans was nowhere present at Ice Castle Arena. Whoever that No. 68 was could not have been Jagr given the frown on his face.

He literally vacillated between both friend and stranger. A guy you knew by one remark but didnt recognize at all by the other.

How will you be received?

What kind of question is this? Jagr shot back. Everybody know how you going to receive.

Pittsburgh is where Jagr hoisted two Stanley Cups, where he won a Hart Trophy, a slew of Art Ross Trophies and an Olympic gold medal. Also, its where he scored 149 points one season.

That counts for something in the past, doesnt it?

I couldnt play. Please dont boo me.

He wasnt being very playful with those responses, either.

Flyers coach Peter Laviolette admits hes already spoken to Jagr about what may await and the distractions that Thursday will pose.

What do you supposed we do about it? It is what it is, Laviolette said. Its going to be there. We have to deal with it. Im not being smart. Its one of those things, theres nothing you can do about it.

Laviolette said he didnt know much about Jagr before he arrived last summer, but heard he had a strong work ethic. Yet, it wasnt until Laviolette saw that work ethic in place could he actually appreciate it.

Its not that you doubted it, its just that you wouldnt know it, Laviolette explained. You dont get to see that until you work with him on a daily basis.

Jagr comes early to the rink, works with the younger players long after practice, leaves the rink, then has his own key to come back later at night to work again.

Thats dedication. It is what has endeared himmore than the pointsto his teammates and coaching staff.

As Danny Briere says, Hes a wonderful example to our younger players in the room.

His demeanor that he takes to the rink every day, Laviolette added. His professionalismHe sets a tremendous example for our young players. Hes been excellent.

Jagr got offended when someone asked whether he wanted to prove to Pens fans that he still had what it takes to be the best.

That would be the worst thing that could happen if you want to show somebody you still have it, he said.

Then I would show my ego. I dont want to prove to anybody, anything. I dont think I would play my game if I wanted to show somebody. Plus, I dont have it anymore.

The jab, then the kidding, but again, Jagr wasnt smiling.

How do you feel you fit in with the Flyers?

I dont know, you tell me, Jagr replied. What do you think? I dont know. I cant talk about myself. You have to ask somebody else.

That really caught some by surprise given how Jagr said recently from the first time he stepped onto the ice he knew he had chemistry with Giroux and this team was a good fit for him.

Has it been as much fun as you thought playing in Philadelphia?

I kind of didnt expect anything, Jagr said. I wanted to come back and try to be able to play good hockey to help the hockey club.

So far, I think the way we play, we play pretty good. Maybe not the last four games, but obviously before we played very good hockey.

So is it any different being a Flyer?

Not for me. No. Same.

Which Jagr was that?

E-mail Tim Panaccio at tpanotch@comcast.net.

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