Penguins to retire Jagr’s #68

[Nasti]

Didn’t his OT goal against the Devils in 1999 basically save the Penguins from moving? I remember something along those lines.

 

[kingsholygrail]

I’m guessing the Kings are paying back the favor since Brown’s retirement ceremony was before a Pens game.

Is it just me or is February a popular month to do the retirements?

 

[Fordy]

Is it just me or is February a popular month to do the retirements?

presumably attendance drops in the middle of the season

 

[Dessloch]

Jagr still fanboying Lemieux clearly

 

[Mark Stones Spleen]

I was starting to think he was going to retire the Pens jersey instead. There's a good chance he's still playing professional hockey long after the NHL/Penguins have disbanded.

 

[JJ68]

Had to be done. Hasn't been a better offensive player since Mario. Greatest Euro of all time to boot.

 

[Dessloch]

Had to be done. Hasn't been a better offensive player since Mario. Greatest Euro of all time to boot.

Jaromir, is that you?

 

[MrazeksVengeance]

NATURE IS HEALING.

 

[MarkusKetterer]

Jagr was an amazing player for a very, very long time. His is one of the most unique careers for any athlete I can think of. Personal gripes and grudges aside, he absolutely deserves to watch 68 go up in the rafters in Pittsburgh. 66, 68, 71, and 87 all being up there just feels right.

While I agree on the players the Pens will honour with a number retirement, it’s such an odd set of numbers.

 

[BraveCanadian]

Didn’t his OT goal against the Devils in 1999 basically save the Penguins from moving? I remember something along those lines.

He was playing really hurt at the time as well. It was an epic upset.

 

[3ladesof5teel]

How many Penguins fans posting in here have a Jagr action figure?

View attachment 766275

I sadly do not. But I did have that table cloth on my picnic table as a kid growing up in the 80s

 

[3ladesof5teel]

How in God's name did this not happen sooner? Even Marty St. Louis made it to the rafters in Tampa in what was basically as soon as possible and he didn't exactly leave on great terms

Probably because he hasn't really retired yet.

He deserves to get that jersey hung as a Penguin where he started his career on some epic penguins teams from the 90s.

Jagr/Lemieux created a whole generation of Penguins fans in the city that evolved into so much for the sport as a whole today. Starting from the bottom up.

 

[Extra Texture]

Didn't play 1 minute against either Nashville or San Jose. 1 Stanley cup.

There's a way to be a troll, and keep it funny. I mean, look at the guy getting loaded and saying Mario faked leukemia. That's how it's done.

 

[Extra Texture]

While I agree on the players the Pens will honour with a number retirement, it’s such an odd set of numbers.

It is strange, but I love that it can be expressed by "66871" and it captures them all

Of course, that doesnt include Briere, but his name is up there for a different reason.

 

[Nathaniel Skywalker]

Lemieux
Crosby
Jagr
Malkin

Is how I'd rank them.

And it's actually the opposite regarding standards. They're very stingy, they didn't retire Barrasso, Francis, or Coffey. That's why I'm doubtful they retire Fleury or Letang, but you never know. They do have time spent with the club on their side.

Malkin is def ahead of jagr as a penguin

 

[Dessloch]

Best take on Jagr ever I have to say:

Yohe: Jaromir Jagr, the Penguins and the city of Pittsburgh — a love story 32 years in the making

There will only ever be one Jagr, and he'll be back where he belongs in the city of Pittsburgh.

theathletic.com

 

[MarkusKetterer]

It is strange, but I love that it can be expressed by "66871" and it captures them all

Of course, that doesnt include Briere, but his name is up there for a different reason.

It’s just odd because of them all being high numbers.

But I just read about that. Crazy story.

 

[shakes the clown]

Needed to wait a while for the hate to die down. He was still getting booed every time he touched the puck as recently as 2015. But #68 getting retired was inevitable - all 5 of his art rosses and both cups were won with the penguins. Time heals all wounds.

What‘s the bad blood about? I either don’t remember or never knew.

 

[Voight]

Yes.

The Penguins have been crazy limited with their retirement of numbers.

FSG wants the $$$.

I wouldnt say crazy limited as much as not having many guys to choose from. Coffey, Murphy, Barrasso etc had some good years tho but the first two are associated with other franchises. Lemieux is an easy one, IMO Jagr is more than worthy of such an honour. I don't see why this an issue or why he would have to wait until Sid & Geno retire.

 

[Voight]

An argument to be made for this for sure.

But as a Penguin? There is no argument.

Sid, Geno, Letang are all better franchise guys. Kunitz and MAF have an argument too.

You lost me here.

 

[Gurglesons]

You lost me here.

MAF and Kunitz took the Penguins to three cup finals each. MAF won one, and played a large part in another. Kuni won 3. They also were a large part of a decade plus of success.

 

[Voight]

MAF and Kunitz took the Penguins to three cup finals each. MAF won one, and played a large part in another. Kuni won 3. They also were a large part of a decade plus of success.

Neither of them took the Pens anywhere. Especially Kunitz, he was a passenger.

FWIW Kunitz scored 37 points across 68 games (in the three years the team made a finals run), Jagr scored 37 points in 45 games (two finals runs)

One could argue MAFs absolutely atrocious playoff performances from 2010-2015 cost the Pens a couple deep playoff runs.

 

[Dessloch]

MAF and Kunitz took the Penguins to three cup finals each. MAF won one, and played a large part in another. Kuni won 3. They also were a large part of a decade plus of success.

Jagr had more playoff points in the 1991 and 1992 cup than Kunitz had during his THREE cup runs. Kunitz was a footnote in all of the cups he won by your own standards, that you revised because its not Jagr you are judging!

Wanting to retired Kunitz jersey over Jagr is one the most absurd things I ever read.

And again, not everything is measured in cups! What Jagr provided in sheer entertainment and excitement for so many years can never be overlooked! He dominated the league in a way only 66 and 99 have done. And he did it all in a Pens jersey, thats why so many consider him a Penguin for life!

 

[MarkusKetterer]

What‘s the bad blood about? I either don’t remember or never knew.

When he came back from the KHL, it was rumoured/reported he was signing with the Pens. Then he signed with the Flyers.

 

[Gurglesons]

Neither of them took the Pens anywhere. Especially Kunitz, he was a passenger.

FWIW Kunitz scored 37 points across 68 games (in the three years the team made a finals run), Jagr scored 37 points in 45 games (two finals runs)

One could argue MAFs absolutely atrocious playoff performances from 2010-2015 cost the Pens a couple deep playoff runs.

Aren’t you a caps fan?

Jagr had more playoff points in the 1991 and 1992 cup than Kunitz had during his THREE cup runs. Kunitz was a footnote in all of the cups he won by your own standards, that you revised because its not Jagr you are judging!

Wanting to retired Kunitz jersey over Jagr is one the most absurd things I ever read.

And again, not everything is measured in cups! What Jagr provided in sheer entertainment and excitement for so many years can never be overlooked! He dominated the league in a way only 66 and 99 have done. And he did it all in a Pens jersey, thats why so many consider him a Penguin for life!

I don’t want to retire either of their numbers.