Jaromir Jagr says he’s in no rush to make another attempt to play in the NHL next season. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to hang up the skates just yet.
“My only goal, for now, is to feel better tomorrow than I felt today and to make it a day-by-day progress,” Jagr said in an interview with Michael Langr of NHL.com. “That way I can hopefully get to the point where I feel great one day.”
Langr reports that the 46-year-old has been practicing in the Czech Republic with Ryitiro Kladno, the professional team he owns. Jagr had considered a return to the NHL but has put that on hold until he’s able to recover from a knee injury, according to Langr.
Jagr played 22 games with the Calgary Flames last season, scoring a goal and seven points before being loaned to Kladno for the remainder of the year.
In his interview with Langr, Jagr admitted that age has caught up to him a bit but he said he won’t let it stop him from trying to get back onto the ice this season.
“My biggest limit is age. There are things I would like to handle but I can’t do it anymore,” Jagr said. “At my age, these limitations come more and more often. But I believe that when my leg and the entire body gets stronger, it will all get better and better.”
Jagr sits second all-time in NHL scoring with 1,921 points and third in goals with 766. He won two Stanley Cups over his 24 seasons, both with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1991 and 1992. The future Hall-of-Famer also won the Hart Trophy in 1999 and the Art Ross Trophy five times.
“I shouldn’t compare myself now with myself 10, or even two years ago,” Jagr said. “The time flies. But I will do all I can (to still play).”
Be the first to comment