Bobby Orr's Knees said:
I am kind of happy he doesn't have Jagr's attititude.
Or Bobby Orr's knees!
Funny, because they just had an interview on CBC with Jagr, and they were asking him about Ovechkin, specifically his enthusiasm and if it was similar to his own at that age. Jagr basically commended Ovechkin as a great player, and said he (Jagr) is too old to be jumping around like that.
I was only saying that Jagr is a playmaker, not just a sharpshooter.
If Jagr had stayed in Pittsburgh, it would probably have ended up worse for both of them. The Penguins haven't been close to the playoffs since he left, yet made it every year he played for them (despite his terrible attitude). Maybe he didn't express himself that well or in the best of ways, but he was frustrated with his own play, injuries, and the future of a near-bankrupt franchise with less and less surrounding talent, while being publicly criticized from above. Probably his biggest mistake was being honest. Jagr's never held out for more money, he helped the Penguins to their only 2 Cups, is leading the Rangers to their first playoff in many years, has led the Czechs to a lot of success in international play, and so far had an incredible career.
I have nothing against Ovechkin, I just think all the proclamations and comparisons are a bit premature. Jagr has been a target for opposing players since he was 13. Will be interesting to see what happens after Ovechkin he's a marked man every season, every game, every shift, year after year. If (more like when) he suffers the inevitable injuries that accompany NHL stars, then whether or not he continues to play hurt, perhaps he can be labelled a whiner, lazy, floater, etc.
Playing with the hapless Caps as a rooke is one thing. After he's been in the league a few years and still everyone on his team is a notch or two below him and they aren't winning... then he can try to express himself in his non-native language to sympathetic (
![biglaugh :biglaugh: :biglaugh:](/styles/default/xenforo/smilies/biglaugh.gif)
) reporters looking for a story. Jagr's performance in Washington wasn't exactly horrible. He led the team in scoring and had around a point per game in 2+ seasons during the deadest of the dead puck era, they just missed the playoffs his first year, and made it the next year. Since Ovechkin is obviously the holy trinity, perhaps he cannot be injured, go through tough times, or even have a bad day. Best of luck to him.
![Smile :) :)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)