Written by Harvey Fialkov at Sun Sentinal.com
Not interested in testing free agency, Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr will continue his legendary career with the Florida Panthers as the parties agreed to terms on another one-year contract Thursday afternoon.
Terms haven’t been announced, but Jagr is expected to receive a raise from last year’s base of $3.5 million with $1.9 million in incentives, to a $4 million base with $1.5 million in incentives, according to a source.
At 44, Jagr became the oldest player in NHL history to lead his team in scoring with 66 points, while scoring 27 goals, one behind team leader and linemate Aleksander Barkov. He also is the oldest player to ever surpass the 60-point plateau while playing in 79 games and averaging 17:05 ice time.
“Jaromir has had a tremendous influence on our younger players and has been a key offensive contributor on our team,” Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. “We are happy to have him back as we look to build off this year’s playoff appearance.”
Panthers blossoming center Vincent Trocheck, 22, grew up in Pittsburgh and wasn’t even born before Jagr won his first of two Stanley Cup titles with the Penguins.
“He’s the seventh wonder of the world,’’ Trocheck said on locker cleanout day. “The stuff he does on and off the ice, how dedicated he is to the game, is so much fun to watch. He’s a great role model for all of us young kids who have been around him.
“It’s crazy to think about how I grew up watching him in Pittsburgh and living around the corner from him, watch him win a Cup and watch his glory days. I had a highlight tape that was literally half Jagr, and I end up playing with him in my first full NHL year.’’
Nearly every city the Panthers visited Jagr was the center of attention and treated more like a rock star than a hockey player. He grew out his trademark mullet which he sported in his fledgling years with the Penguins, where he won five league-leading scoring trophies.
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