I don't think anyone is saying (or at least, they shouldn't be saying) that Jagr is going to put the Flames on the top. He isn't a 100pt player any longer that can put a team on his back.
What he is a former superstar who has done everything at the NHL level, who still plays a very strong puck possession game that is incredibly useful in today's NHL, who is a fitness freak and who also brings a tonne of leadership.
I think there are a number of qualities about Jagr the human being that can rub off positively on the younger players, and there are a lot of qualities about Jagr the current player that helps make this team a bit better.
He is not going to drastically change anything. What he should do is help this team be a bit better. Imagine if the 2004 Flames were just a bit better, or had that little bit more depth to bring up. It could have changed the fortunes of that series.
People look at the Pens, the Blackhawks, etc., and point to that top talent on the team like Crosby, Kane, etc., but they forget about guys like Cullen. You need those depth guys who have experience to really up their games in the playoffs, and help show the kids the way through the incredibly physical and mental grind that is playoff hockey, right after an 82 game gruelling season.
Nobody is going to think that Jagr is going to put this team on his back and carry them to greatness. What I personally think he will add is solid depth scoring (30-55 pts, depending on situation), show the young guys some tips and tricks of what he does to remain effective on the ice (like a personal skills coach!), and show them how hard they have to work to maintain their NHL careers (there is no better example in today's NHL of this).
I don't see a downside. Injuries are going to happen, and I would rather have Janowski and Foo ready to be recalled than hope for Poirier and Mangiapane to be ready to contribute, or hoping Shinkaruk has changed his game enough where he can be a contributor.
Depth wins cups. The season is a war of attrition. I like that Calgary is a deep team (media guys are nuts to question depth IMO). They need time to develop the top-end talent on the team and have them take another step, but the depth is a really strong part of the team. I don't think it is overkill right now to add a 45 Jaromir Jagr to help support it, and hopefully, one season of Jagr will add to the ongoing culture of this team.
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