Jagr Comin', Yo. And Chiarelli Got Him Cheap
More than 20 years after helping the Pittsburgh Penguins vanquish the Cam Neely-led Bruins from consecutive Wales Conference Finals, the mulleted mercenary that is Jaromir Jagr will join the now Neely-led organization to (potentially) knock those same Penguins out of the East this year. The Bruins only had to give Dallas Lane MacDermid, draft pick Cody Payne, and a conditional 2nd rounder to make it happen.
After the aborted Jarome Iginla deal last week (via Dr. Jay Feaster), the Bruins dropped the ‘e’, added the ‘ir’, and set their sights on obtaining the NHL’s eighth all-time leader scoring from the guy (Joe Nieuwendyk) who himself was traded for Iginla over 17 years ago. Funny how that all works out.
It’s quite a turn of events for Bruins fans that woke up last Thursday morning only to find out that Iginla would be going to join Sid and not coming to Boston. Instead, Peter Chiarelli made ostensibly a better deal with the Stars because he didn’t give up nearly as much and, one could argue, got a better player in return.
Though he just turned 41, Jagr is still producing at a pretty good level as he’s potted 14 goals and assisted on 12 others in 34 games (Iginla has a 9-13–22 line in 32 games with a -6). His -5 shouldn’t be much of a concern, as the Stars have been in a non-playoff territory for most of the season. Once he officially joins the Bs, he’ll be tied for the team lead in goals with Brad Marchand.
Regardless, this is a huge pick-up for the Bs. They add one of the game’s greats that can still produce not to mention impart some of his ample hockey wisdom on young players. He should help out that woeful power play and, if he’s paired with fellow Czech David Krejci, we can call the Two Wild and Crazy Guys Line.
MacDermid didn’t project to make the Bruins full-time roster anytime soon. Payne was taken in the 5th round in 2012 so throwing him in was a no-brainer. The pick will depend on how far the Bs go in the playoffs. Time will judge this trade. But today, it feels like a steal.
Next up, go get some defensive depth. Because that’s as much needed as Jagr was up front.
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