Jaromir Jagr, whose No. 68 jersey was recently retired by the Pittsburgh Penguins, had a lighthearted moment with Connor McDavid.
Jagr jokingly remarked that McDavid doesn’t even break a sweat and congratulated him on his three-point performance and the win against Jagr’s former team.
A special guest was waiting to chat with some @EdmontonOilers in the locker room earlier today 👀 pic.twitter.com/Gzw9AZTlWm
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 11, 2024
Jagr, who spent 11 seasons with the Penguins, won two consecutive Stanley Cups with the franchise in 1991 and 1992.
He also received several accolades during his time with Pittsburgh, including the Hart Trophy and five Art Ross Trophies.
McDavid, known for his successful performances against the Penguins, impressed once again with a goal and two assists, contributing to the Oilers’ 4-0 victory.
In total, McDavid has accumulated 27 points in 14 games against the Penguins.
In a post-game interview, McDavid acknowledged the team’s recent busy schedule and expressed satisfaction with the two points earned and the road trip overall.
He now looks ahead to their upcoming game against the Washington Capitals on Wednesday.
Jaromir Jagr, a hockey legend, is often overshadowed by his reputation for longevity. However, he was much more than that.
Comparisons between Jagr and Connor McDavid reveal their similar dominance in the game.
“He makes very good players look dumb sometimes.”
Jaromir Jagr is a big fan of Connor McDavid’s game 🍿 pic.twitter.com/vxYz6DSX3D
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 12, 2024
Although their playing styles differ – Jagr’s power and physicality versus McDavid’s speed and skill – their results are astonishingly alike.
Looking at Jagr’s best eight-year stretch from 1993-2001 and McDavid’s most recent eight seasons from 2016-2024, their point-scoring paces over an 82-game schedule are strikingly similar.
In fact, seven out of the eight seasons are within a few points of each other.
Only their second-best seasons show any disparity, with McDavid having a slight edge due to the favorable circumstances of the abbreviated 2021 COVID year.
Considering the overall body of work, there is little separation between Jagr and McDavid.
While McDavid is likely to receive his sixth MVP finalist nomination this year and possibly contend for the scoring title, their game totals over the eight seasons are nearly identical.
This comparison highlights Jagr’s greatness and places him among the NHL’s greatest forwards of all time.
The reunion of Jagr and Pittsburgh this weekend promises to be a spectacular event, allowing fans to appreciate the immense talent and impact he had on the sport.
Jaromir Jagr, often overlooked in hockey history, should be remembered as the Connor McDavid of his generation.
Over eight seasons, Jagr’s point production and goal scoring rivaled that of McDavid. Despite playing alongside the legendary Mario Lemieux for only a third of his peak years, Jagr’s statistics remained on par.
In fact, Jagr won four of his five scoring titles during Lemieux’s retirement.
Jagr’s achievements are even more impressive considering that he played in an era when offense was decreasing. However, he never received the same level of praise that McDavid does today.
Europeans like Jagr faced discrimination and were not well-received in the NHL during the 1990s. Jagr, with his flamboyant style and big personality, defied the league’s old-school culture.
He disrupted the traditional order of hockey and was met with xenophobia. Yet, Jagr’s place in history is undeniable.
He ranks second all-time in points and fourth in goals, with only Gretzky, Lemieux, and Howe having more scoring titles.
Despite playing through a low-scoring era and spending time in the KHL, Jagr’s goal-scoring record could have been even more impressive.
He even scored 27 goals as an 18-year-old and repeated the feat at age 43. Jagr’s greatness is further recognized by various rankings, placing him among the top players of all time.
While he awaits Hall of Fame eligibility, Jagr’s contributions to the sport cannot be forgotten. His number, 68, will be retired alongside his childhood idol, Lemieux.
In retrospect, Jagr’s impact on the game matches that of McDavid, and he should be celebrated as one of the greatest players in NHL history.
Fans had this to say.
He’s the best, when the girl tried to blackmail him with pictures, & he said, I don’t care, go ahead! 😎😂🤣
— CB (@niloc21) March 11, 2024
Younger fans don’t remember just how close we were to Jagr being an Oiler. We made a massive push for him, and he decided to go overseas. He mentioned us in his farewell speech, though.
— Cuzi (@CuzICantStop) March 11, 2024
What could have been, if jagr had stayed healthier in Calgary. That would have been awesome to see more of him
— Brad S (@KindaranS) March 11, 2024
We need McDavid mic'd up every game
— DAPPER DON DHARSHI • K A M I L • (@SoloFlow786) March 11, 2024
He said “fuck the pens ima go spend time with a real team”
— Sidney Cros🐐 (@PittsPenguinsWW) March 11, 2024
Good to see
— nooriihehe (@noorhopes) March 12, 2024
Shaved…looks 20 years younger…ha
— Latvian Connection (@LETSGOBUFFALOOO) March 12, 2024
You know, I don’t entirely disagree with him lol
— Kyle (@KyleT0928) March 12, 2024
