Gurglesons
Registered User
Ray Shero was a bad GM, but a smart man. The only reason Penguins fans are upset about Jagr not signing with the Pens in 2011 is because they have been fooled by the Pittsburgh media and do not understand the context of Jagrs NHL return. Jagr wanted to return to the NHL to prove he was still an 1st line player and not on a 1 year farewell tour. The Penguins indicated to Jagr that he had to wait because the Penguins wanted to sign Tyler Kennedy first, that was their priority. As Jagr have said: "No disrespect towards Tyler Kennedy, but it showed the Penguins interest was not serious".
To be able to stay in the NHL and play a significant role, Jagr needed to go to a team that would give him 1st line minutes and 1st PP role. The Penguins clearly could not offer that to Jagr, and more so with thinking Tyler Kennedy was more important than Jagr. Further more Jagr said he felt Ray Shero had no real interest in having him on the team. Ray Shero lowballed Jagr with a 1.5$ one year deal and had Tyler Kennedy signed at 2$ million instead.
Shero then removed the Penguins offer to Jagr 10 minutes before free agency begun, so Jagr never could have signed with the Penguins. Its thought Shero did all of this to avoid a backslash from the Penguins fan base for not signing Jagr. Instead lowball Jagr and make him feel unwanted, and then have Jagr become the scapegoat for not returning to Pittsburgh. Any Penguins fans hating on Jagr because of what happened in 2011, needs to understand all of this and direct their anger towards Shero instead, if still feeling bitter about it. Shero could have landed a Penguins legend who went on to have 6 amazing years in the NHL on the cheap.
With regards to Jagrs conduct:
People grow and mature with age, Jagr has certainly changed and he has praised the Penguins every time he has got a chance since he left. Time for Penguins fans to forgive what happened 20 years age. I am baffled as to how people can feel so much anger still.
Lol.