What was the draw of the KHL for Jagr?

[Eye of Ra]

He lost a step for sure back then. I’m a Rangers fan and watched it happen. But he didn’t lose another step until like 7 more seasons beyond that.

Jagr is still playing pro hockey, but at limited effectiveness in a league that’s below the AHL, maybe is at ECHL, level. I don’t watch any of the games, but part of me suspects (without justification) that his opponents take it somewhat easy on him. I actually think a lot of formerly elite NHLers could do what he's doing if they had the desire and stayed in top shape. He's a rare one, but I think it's more personality than ability.

The Czech Leauge is much better than ECHL. The Czech Leauge has taken steps. Its on pair with NLA and KHL right now.

 

[Troubadour]

Jagr is still playing pro hockey, but at limited effectiveness in a league that’s below the AHL, maybe is at ECHL, level. I don’t watch any of the games, but part of me suspects (without justification) that his opponents take it somewhat easy on him. I actually think a lot of formerly elite NHLers could do what he's doing if they had the desire and stayed in top shape. He's a rare one, but I think it's more personality than ability.

It all comes down to three aspects:

Jagr being the owner of the team.

Jagr having strong legs/size.

Jagr still having super hands, which is pure ability.

I honestly cannot think of ANY formerly elite NHLers who could play pro hockey at 53, no matter their desire, because the legs/hands/size combo of Jagr is so rare.

Disciplined Lemieux, maybe.

 

[wetcoast]

He lost a step for sure back then. I’m a Rangers fan and watched it happen. But he didn’t lose another step until like 7 more seasons beyond that.

Jagr is still playing pro hockey, but at limited effectiveness in a league that’s below the AHL, maybe is at ECHL, level. I don’t watch any of the games, but part of me suspects (without justification) that his opponents take it somewhat easy on him. I actually think a lot of formerly elite NHLers could do what he's doing if they had the desire and stayed in top shape. He's a rare one, but I think it's more personality than ability.

This reminds me when I say Lafleur in Vancouver late in his career in a Nordiques jersey.

Hair was still flowing but he obviously had lost many steps and players let him just glide and float out there and didn't challenge him like a normal player.

We all shouted "Guy, Guy, Guy" when he had the puck and even those his stats looked pretty good he really wasn't anymore.

Probably some of that going on with Jagr.