The Dallas Stars and general manager Joe Nieuwendyk have a difficult decision to make over the next two days: whether or not to trade legendary forward Jaromir Jagr.
NHL trade deadline: Dallas Stars listening to offers for Jaromir Jagr?
The Dallas Stars reportedly are working on a contract extension for Jaromir Jagr, yet appear willing to at least listen to trade offers before signing the veteran forward for next season.
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Jagr leads the Stars with 14 goald and 26 points in 33 games, overcoming an early-season back injury to look stronger and stronger with each passing game. The 41-year old forward has eight points in his previous six games and has looked at times to be the most consistent player on a very inconsistent hockey team. Jagr has also provided the marketing and public relations boost he was expected to bring to Dallas when he was signed last summer.
Yet with the Stars looking at the very real possibility of missing the postseason for the fifth-straight season, all the while in the midst of a prolonged rebuilding effort that began in 2012, there appears to be a very real chance that the team could look to move Jagr ahead of the April 3 trade deadline.
As SB Nation's Defending Big D reported last week, talks have begun between the team and Jagr on a possible contract extension that would keep him in Dallas through next season. Appearing on the Stars' postgame show following Friday's win over the Minnesota Wild, Jagr stated that while he wants to stay in Dallas it might not be entirely up to him:
“That’s just the way it is,” said Jagr, when asked about the Stars possibly listening to trade offers from other teams. “You know, things I cannot control, I learn through my life I shouldn’t worry about things I can’t control see cannot control (sounded like that anyway). I’m here right now trying to play my best hockey and you just never know. I love it here but whatever happen happen. I’m professional, I have to move on if something happens. But I don’t want to leave to be honest, I love it here.”
By all accounts, Jagr has fully embraced the role of the veteran mentor on a team in transition, with a younger core of players in place attempting to find the best strategy and approach for success. His presence has been felt away from the ice as well, as teammates have embraced his hard-working practice regimen that includes midnight skates at the team’s ice facilities.
Jagr stated in the same interview that the team has known his stance on wanting to stay for quite some time, and that it now seems as though it’s completely up to the team as to whether he stays or not. The reason for the delay?
“Maybe they are getting some other offers from other teams,” said Jagr. “I’m not sure.”
The Dallas Stars have already traded team captain Brenden Morrow and there's a strong possibility that pending UFA Derek Roy is traded as well, with the Stars attempting to recoup maximum value for a player most are expecting to see hit the open market this summer. It's only logical, then, that the Stars would certainly be open to listening to offers from other teams on Jagr and determining just what might be the best course of action for the franchise long-term.
According to Sam Carchidi of Philly.com, the Philadelphia Flyers are confirmed to be a team that has had "exploratory" talks with the Stars in regards to Jagr -- although there is no indication of just what would be on the table in return. The Boston Bruins have also been rumored to likely be interested Jagr, especially after missing out on the Jarome Iginla sweepstakes.
The Dallas Stars, by all accounts, are just as interested in keeping Jagr and he is in remaining with the team. Smart business dictates that, at the very least, the Stars should listen to see what other teams are offering, and that certainly seems to be the case here.
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