Jagr's first practice. Hathaway assigned to Stockton.

[getbak]

Last season, in Florida, Jagr averaged 14:13 per game at even strength (tied for 4th on the team for forwards) and 2:45 per game on the PP (second on the team).

He had 33 points at even strength and 13 points on the PP.


If he plays with Bennett and Versteeg on the third line and on the top PP with Monahan and Gaudreau, I could see him getting similar stats as last year.

[Frequitude]

Every point above zero points is pure gravy for me. All I care about is a) his locker room and player-coach presence, and b) the fun hype of simply having Jagr on the team and in the city.

[MissTeeks]

JAGR SETTLING IN WITH FLAMES

https://www.nhl.com/flames/news/jagr...es/c-291660306

While still unsure whether he'll play in the Flames' home-opener Saturday night at the Scotiabank Saddledome (8 p.m., TV: Sportsnet One, Radio: Sportsnet 960 The FAN, Jaromir Jagr has taken on a bigger role in practice.

During Friday's morning skate he played with both powerplay units.

"He just thinks the game and he never panics in those areas," coach Glen Gulutzan said. "What I found with Jags lately is he goes to the net a lot more. He recognizes where the fish are, right, they bite around the net, so he goes there.

"The thing is he's just skilled in all assets. He can shoot the puck, he's got a long reach, he gets to pucks so well.

"And a lot of the powerplay is getting things on net, retrieving, and getting those broken plays, and there's no one better at doing that kind of stuff."

Bennett, as a linemate, is of particular interest. The 21-year-old is just a year younger than budding star Aleksander Barkov, who was Jagr's most frequent linemate over his past couple of seasons with the Florida Panthers.

Jagr already seems to have taken on something of a mentorship role with the Flames, which Gulutzan said he's familiar with from when he coached No. 68 in Dallas.

"He's really good with the young guys," Gulutzan said. "He loves the game, he's trying to pass on some helpful things and the guys listen. Obviously, they would like to have that kind of career."

As for dressing in the home-opener, that's still up to Jagr.

"We're gonna let Jags decide that," Gulutzan said. "Second day of training camp for him really. So we'll know more tomorrow, see how he feels."

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

I'm sure the Flames management are quickly realizing that Jagr will offer just as much off the ice - in the room and during practices etc. - as he does during actual games.

True win win!

Hudler played a similar role with Gaudeau and Monahan, but Jagr is Hudler x 10

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by edslunch

Hudler played a similar role with Gaudeau and Monahan, but Jagr is Hudler x 10

No, no. He is Hudler x 1,000.

[ThePrince]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

No, no. He is Hudler x 1,000.

No, he's Jagr x infinity, no takebacks!

[ClubFlames]

Speaking of Hudler (not sure if it's a fata)

http://www.sportingnews.com/ca/nhl/n...d1x45od4tpx4ut

According to the report, it all started when Hudler's demand for "coke" was denied by a flight attendant after it was initially presumed that his request was in reference to the beverage. Hudler then threatened to have the woman killed by his friends upon their arrival.

Things only got worse from there. Hudler has also been accused of snorting cocaine in the plane's bathroom and then attempting to urinate on a food cart.

[old-fart]

If Jags can teach TheBeard how to be a great pro - and he’s already started doing that - his contract is a win. If he can also teach some of the other younger guys - and I think based on the reporting he already has started this too - it is awesome.

If he also gets in the games and contributes positively, and I believe he will, it is all gravy.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him put up 40ish points between TheBeard’s improvement and PP time. That, coupled with improvements of our 3rd line and even the 2nd and 1st lines would make this an awesome signing.

It is hard to imagine a situation where this isn’t a net positive given the contract dollars.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Must be a strange dynamic on the team right now for a few players. Jagr taking reps on the 3rd line while Brouwer practices on the 4th. But let's say Jagr doesn't play tomorrow. Brouwer gets a game on the 3rd line. I'd be curious if there's any fight back from him.

[JerryUnderscore]

I'm as excited about the Jagr signing as anyone but I wonder if we're building up the player-coach narrative too much?

Jagr is a legendary player but that doesn't mean he's a good coach. Gretzky as a coach went 143-161-24 as a coach. Mike Babcock on the other hand, terrible player but amazing coach.

I'm sure Jagr will be a great mentor for Bennett but we didn't bring him in to be a player-coach for the team. He's a player who should get ~40 points this season.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I'm as excited about the Jagr signing as anyone but I wonder if we're building up the player-coach narrative too much?

Jagr is a legendary player but that doesn't mean he's a good coach. Gretzky as a coach went 143-161-24 as a coach. Mike Babcock on the other hand, terrible player but amazing coach.

I'm sure Jagr will be a great mentor for Bennett but we didn't bring him in to be a player-coach for the team. He's a player who should get ~40 points this season.

Talking with linemates about where you expect them and how you think the game isn’t the same as the coaching you’re referring to.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Talking with linemates about where you expect them and how you think the game isn’t the same as the coaching you’re referring to.

Yes, I recognize that he's not going to be a literal player-coach in the sense that he's wearing two hats. My point is that, as much as there will be some mentoring going on, the Flames didn't bring him in simply to mentor the kids.

Some posters are acting like he could be a healthy scratch for half the season, get 10 points overall and they wouldn't care because of how much he helped develop the kids off the ice. If that's the expectation, then hire him as a player development coach. Don't pay him $2M and take up a roster spot just to mentor the kids.

Furthermore, there's not necessarily a correlation between someone being good at hockey and that person being good at developing other players.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

Yes, I recognize that he's not going to be a literal player-coach in the sense that he's wearing two hats. My point is that, as much as there will be some mentoring going on, the Flames didn't bring him in simply to mentor the kids.

Some posters are acting like he could be a healthy scratch for half the season, get 10 points overall and they wouldn't care because of how much he helped develop the kids off the ice. If that's the expectation, then hire him as a player development coach. Don't pay him $2M and take up a roster spot just to mentor the kids.

Furthermore, there's not necessarily a correlation between someone being good at hockey and that person being good at developing other players.

Except for the fact that numerous players have said how his mentoring helped them develop.

[Machiavelli]

^^ You're overthinking this

[JerryUnderscore]

Okay, maybe I'm reading too much into things like when ActiveSitck said,

Another thing I'm wondering if Jagr will do is give the coach feedback that the coach would consider. As an example, maybe feedback that Brodie needs to shoot more on the PP or he may want to consider swapping him with a shooter.

Or when Frequitude said,

Every point above zero points is pure gravy for me. All I care about is a) his locker room and player-coach presence, and b) the fun hype of simply having Jagr on the team and in the city.

I think mentoring is one thing but I don't think Jagr will be giving GG coaching tips.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

I'm as excited about the Jagr signing as anyone but I wonder if we're building up the player-coach narrative too much?

Jagr is a legendary player but that doesn't mean he's a good coach. Gretzky as a coach went 143-161-24 as a coach. Mike Babcock on the other hand, terrible player but amazing coach.

I'm sure Jagr will be a great mentor for Bennett but we didn't bring him in to be a player-coach for the team. He's a player who should get ~40 points this season.

I think he will be both. He was both in Florida after all. If you read what his team mates in Florida said about him - Barkov in particular - you could then start to see Jagr as literally a player-coach. That is actually one of the reasons I wanted Calgary to sign him, as he really does teach the youth on the team.

That short video where he seemed to be showing Bennett a few pointers is illustrating it, I would say. I think Jagr will be both a productive player and a guy that can teach team mates some of the finer points of the game that will be retained organizationally long after he is no longer a Flame, and that makes him a great value signing.

[Kidder]

Mentoring can be silent.

Just watching how Jagr protects the puck and where he positions himself can enlighten a teammate, or especially a linemate, on elements they can integrate into their game.

Jagr may only talk about muffins and his cat while he's here but his presence and incredible hockey IQ will still pay huge dividends to young players wanting to learn.

[FiveSeven]

Originally Posted by JerryUnderscore

Furthermore, there's not necessarily a correlation between someone being good at hockey and that person being good at developing other players.

True, but he's one of the best hockey players, ever. He's 45, he has like 28 season of pro hockey, 5 art ross trophies, and he's very honest and forward, I'm pretty sure he can teach a lot of things. Also taking into account things said by Barkov about Jagr just furthermore supports the suggestion that he is a great teacher, and player.

[calgaryblood]

Whatever Jagr does on the ice is a bonus for me. I'm totally not expecting him to be good so if he is then awesome.

The games he had against the Flames last season I was hoping he would get more ice time because I really didn't think he looked all that good.

So yeah Jaromir freaking Jagr is a Flame and that's awesome regardless how he performs on the ice.

[FBI]

Yup if Jagr scores 5 points but Bennett scores 60 and we do well in the playoffs, I would be thrilled.