Round 2, Vote 1 (HOH Top Wingers)

[MXD]

Then why do people feel justified in the criticism that somehow Washington's fairly poor showings those years is all his fault?

Not all his fault obviously, but his squad being better with him than without him isn't really an endorsement of excellence.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

He was traded partly to dump salary in advance of the Cap because the team had been losing money for years.


Also:

02 Jagr R-On: 1.09 R-Off: 0.89
03 Jagr R-On: 1.10 R-Off: 1.09
04 Jagr R-On: 0.96 R-Off: 0.61 (lol!)

Jagr was outperforming his off ice counterparts every step of the way and by a large amounts in 2/3 years. As a side note, the Capitals were pathetic in 04 when Jagr wasn't on the ice.

Perception at the time:

http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/nhlnotebook/a/jagr_trade.htm

 

[BraveCanadian]

Perception at the time:

http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/nhlnotebook/a/jagr_trade.htm

Also the perception at the time:

Jaromir Jagr was traded to the New York Rangers yesterday, capping more than six months of off and on negotiations that brought to and end a disappointing 2 1/2 year stay with the Washington Capitals.

Jagr was traded for forward Anson Carter, but most of the negotiations centered on how much of Jagr's $11 million-per-year contract the Capitals would continue to pay as the cost-conscious NHL heads toward a possible lockout next seasons.

"This trade is a good one in that it moves the largest player contract in the NHL to a team that can absorb it, and it provides us with options as we seek to improve our team," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said.
...
Leonsis said he had to move Jagr because of the "new economic reality" the league is facing with the expected lockout and the possible salary cap that could follow.

"With our current payroll, our ability to improve was hindered as well as our flexibility to plan for the future as we move toward a possible new NHL business model, " Leonsis said.

Jagr has not provided the payoff expected when the Capitals acquired him from Pittsburgh in 2001...
...
Attendance has sagged for a franchise that was already losing about $20 million per year.

No doubt Jagr's declining production prompted the move but lets not pretend that finances didn't also come into play.

 

[Dennis Bonvie]

Also the perception at the time:



No doubt Jagr's declining production prompted the move but lets not pretend that finances didn't also come into play.

No one is pretending finances didn't come into play.

But when you are the highest paid player in the world and effort & attitude are in question, its more than just money.

 

[tarheelhockey]

But if the major purpose of the Soviet domestic league was to prepare for the National team, it would make sense for the 3rd and 4th lines of the national team to play as 1st lines for "rivals" of CSKA, right?

But it also makes sense as just being the natural order of things. Canada's 1976 team took #1 lines whole-cloth from the Habs, Flyers and Sabres.

 

[Hardyvan123]

Perception at the time:

http://proicehockey.about.com/cs/nhlnotebook/a/jagr_trade.htm

Interesting stuff and trying to value Jagr in light of Washigntons money problems is like saying Joe Thorton should be only valued what Boston received in return in a bad management decision.

It's pretty obvious Jagr was still an excellent player in Washington, perhaps not as good as his peak but really why aren't we judging all players with the same microscope here?

 

[Captain Bowie]

But it also makes sense as just being the natural order of things. Canada's 1976 team took #1 lines whole-cloth from the Habs, Flyers and Sabres.

Even see it now, to a lesser extent with Canada. SJ's trio in '10. Seabrook in '10, Kunitz in '14.