After enjoyable season, Jagr unsure of future

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Addressing the media after the 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils that eliminated the Flyers from the playoffs, Jaromir Jagr was quite certain of a number of things.

The Devils won the series along the boards, Jagr attested. The Flyers felt Claude Girouxs absence in Game 5, he said. The Devils were just too fast and too strong through every game.

Jagr was sure of those things as he stood before a crowd of reporters late Tuesday night. But he wasnt yet sure of what his future in hockey will look like. Jagr, if youll remember, shocked much of the hockey world last summer when he signed a one-year, 3.3 million deal with the Flyers and not the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Hes said all season he would like to return next yearbut only if he feels he can contribute. And of that, hes not confident.

Right now, I dont know, he said. I dont know whats going to happen. It doesnt matter whats going to happen.

A future Hall of Famer, Jagr has had a career to be envied. Hes won two Stanley Cups. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHLs MVP in 1999. He was the leagues leading point-scorer five times. During his 19 years in the NHL, hes certainly accumulated plenty of memories, plenty of impressive achievements.

But none of that, he said Tuesday night, compares to the one year he spent in Philadelphia.

I have to say, thanks for the support from the fans, he said. I love everybody on this team. That was probably my most enjoyable year I ever had. I won some Cups, I won some trophies, but I love this year. From the organization to the last player on the team and the fans, they were so nice to me.

I hate to finish it right now. Thats the worst feeling. You finish the whole story, the whole year, thats a sad day today for me. I dont want to cry right now.

Questions about Jagrs ability to power through a grueling 82-game NHL season followed him throughout the year. At 40, he has seen his best years come and go. But he did put together a strong regular season for the Flyers, spending the majority of it on the teams most productive line with Giroux and Scott Hartnell.

In the 73 regular-season games he played, Jagr had 19 goals and 35 assists. But his true contributions were those that didnt appear on the scoresheet. His leadership off the ice and incomparable work ethic absolutely rubbed off on his teammates.

But Jagr had a rough end to the postseason. He registered just one assist in the five-game series against New Jersey, and finished Game 5 with only a single shot on net. He was a combined minus-2 through the series.

Like the rest of his teammates, Jagr wasnt happy with the unceremonious way things ended for both himself and the Flyers.

What do you want me to say? Of course I would like to go all the way, he said. Everybody on our team, it just didnt happen. It was quick. We won the first game, then we lost four straight. Thats tough.

The Flyers have made it no secret that they want Jagr to return next year. Re-signing him is a priority for the organization. But ultimately, the decision will come down to the man himself.

For now, though, Jagr will simply have to reflect on the 2011-12 season during the Flyers extended summer. And considering the fond words he had for his brief stint in an orange and black jersey, much of what hell rehash will bring that trademark grin to his face.

That was the most enjoyable year I ever had. Jagr said. From the fans to the owner to the last guy, I just loved every minute of this season.

E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com

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