VOORHEES, N.J. -- Its a popular storyline: Jaromir Jagr, who accomplished so much with the Pittsburgh Penguins, returns to the city that once loved him wearing the jersey of the teams top rival.
Instead of receiving cheers for all he did during his 11 seasons as a Penguin, Jagr will be among the most hated members of the visiting team during his stay in western Pennsylvania. And thats simply because he elected not to sign with the Pens last summer during free agency.
Well, thats almost how this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series was set to play out.
I dont think Im Public Enemy No. 1, Jagr said with a grin. I think Lavy coach Peter Laviolette is right now. At least thats what I saw last game.
Laviolette, of course, was fined for his actions late in the Flyers win in Pittsburgh April 1. Those actions included smashing and breaking Max Talbots stick against the boards, as well as a screaming match with Pens assistant coach Tony Granato.
Truth be told, though, Jagr knows what to expect from the fans who will pack the CONSOL Energy Center tonight. He knows theyll boo him when he touches the puck. He doesnt expect any love for the Stanley Cups he helped bring to Pittsburgh or the amazing feats he accomplished there. He got a small taste for how the crowd will react to him during the regular season, but he knows it will only intensify as the playoffs continue.
And thats OK with him.
NHL
Its not anything new to me, Jagr said after Tuesdays practice in New Jersey. It happened right away after 2000 when I got traded to Washington. Its already 12 years. Thats exactly what I expected.
After weeks of speculation that he would return to the Penguins for his NHL comeback this summer, Jagr surprised the hockey world by, instead, picking the Flyers. It was a matter of fit, he said. The Flyers had room for him, they had a need for the kind of player he is.
By the way he talks about it, it seems Jagr didnt expect the reaction he got when he turned down his former team. He gets quiet and serious when he discusses the tumult that ensued after he signed a one-year deal with the Flyers. He usually doesnt make eye contact with anyone as he rehashes it.
It doesnt matter what I did. Everything is in the past, he said. But whatever happened this summer, I dont think I did something wrong. I listened to what the Penguins had to say, my agent talked to them. I said to my agent, I wanted to come back to the NHL, but I had no idea about the teams and I had no idea whos playing who and what kind of players teams got.
Philadelphia, Jagr said, was just the best option for him.
But Penguins fans felt like theyd been dumped. Reporters from Pittsburgh in town to preview the series peppered Jagr with questions about whether he predicts a happy ending between himself and his former team could ever be possible. Thats likely something in the back of his mindbut at least for the meantime, thats where it has to remain.
Its not in my mind right now, he said. In my mind, its playoff hockey. To help this team to beat Pittsburgh. Its going to be tough, but thats my main focus right now.
As for how to do that, Jagr has a plan. Handling Evgeni Malkin, the NHLs points leader (109) and likely league MVP, must be the Flyers top priority.
I think hes the key guy for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jagr said. Its going to be tough to stop him. Were going to have to make sure we slow him down a little more thanslow him down, I think thats the right word to use. Because hes going to get his goals and points, hes that good. Theres no question about it. Probably the best in the league.
The longer this year is going to go on, I think hes going to get better, because hes so strong, so skilled, so big. But its up to us.
E-mail Sarah Baicker at sbaicker@comcastsportsnet.com