Friday, March 28, 2008
Jagr to Omsk?
NY Daily News:
"It might not be on anybody else's list of global hot spots. But Jaromir Jagr has been unabashed in his affection for the southwestern Siberian city of Omsk and up front about his desire to one day play there again.
Next week, Jagr will get the chance to lay the groundwork for just such a return - or, at least, continue a dialogue that never has been interrupted - when he meets with Anatoly Bardin, the new general manager for Avangard-Omsk of the Russian Super League.
Bardin is flying to New York this weekend. And according to his team's Web site, "The main objective of the visit are the negotiations with the Czech forward Jaromir Jagr of the Rangers about his possible return to the 'Vanguard.'"
While it is also probable that Bardin will meet with Rangers GM Glen Sather to discuss a transfer fee that would enable 2007 first-round pick Alexei Cherepanov to get out of the final year of his contract with Omsk, Jagr told the Daily News following last night's victory over the Devils that he plans to get together with the team's representatives.
["He can come, it's no problem - we'll see what happens," said Jagr, who played for Avangard-Omsk in 2004-05, when a lockout canceled the NHL season. "I'm going to meet with them for sure."]"
I really think the Rangers need Jagr to succeed and I am not sure why they do not want him back as Jagr has hinted to. I would be sad to see such a great player leave to go to Russia for his final seasons of his career. Maybe something freaky will happen and Jagr signs for a couple more years and Alexei Cherepanov is allowed to break the last year of his contract and come over to the US next season.
In other Ranger news Prospect Park really wants the Rangers to sign David Skokan to a contract and are wondering why the haven't already and question the signing of Mike Taylor who was recently signed to an ATO (Amateur Tryout Contract)
