Could Jaromir Jagr Return To The NHL?

Anyone watching Olympic hockey this year has undoubtedly seen that Jaromir Jagr is playing at near the same level he was when he lead the New York Rangers to the playoffs in 2007. With a healthy and reinvigorated Jagr becoming a free agent this summer, is there a possibility that the future Hall of Fame player rejoins the NHL?

Jagr signed a two-year deal with the KHL in 2008, after several injury plagued seasons in New York. He had stated that the rigors of the 82 game season had worn on him, and I’m sure that the $10 million a year didn’t hurt either.

Yet most reports state that Jagr is as healthy as he’s ever been and Jagr himself says that playing in the KHL has helped him improve as a player overall.

“Guys, it’s not easy to play there,” Jagr said. “You practice a lot harder than in the NHL. On the big ice you have to skate. I play a lot on the big ice. Sometimes I will play on two lines. I think if I decided to come back, I’m think I’m going to be a better player than before I left.”

Who knows how much Jagr could make in the NHL as a 39-year old free agent, but if he is able to lead the Czech Republic to a medal then it’s certain there will be some very interested teams. Four points a night in international play helps a bit as well.