Now that I've ducked all the tomatoes, beer cans, and high sticks directed at my head by fellow fans, let me explain. The Caps went for it all last season, declaring Stanley Cup or bust. They, of course, busted hard being eliminated well short of their goal by the Penguins yet again. Now, the team (and its fans) are wading through an offseason of certain change that would be easier to swallow were it following a winning Cup run. Unfortunately, GM Brian MacLellan has to craft a roster that will be less experienced and less talented, but still capable of winning an Ovechkin-era Stanley Cup. With little wiggle room under the salary cap after re-signing forward T.J. Oshie and defenseman Dmitri Orlov, and preparing (hopefully) to ink restricted free agents Evgeny Kuznetsov and Andre Burakovsky, MacLellan was forced to allow many of the Caps' unrestricted free agents walk away. Justin Williams, Karl Alner, and Kevin Shattenkirk all signed elsewhere today. (All with Eastern Conference foes, by the way.) I know age, injury, and crappy postseason play, respectively, makes it a little easier to watch those players walk away, but they were three players that formed part of a talented nucleus. Add in Nate Schmidt's departure via expansion draft (Thanks, GMGM!) and you have a roster with holes.
And that's where Jagr fits in. I think he can help the Caps. Yes, it is strange to type those words. Yes, my feelings about Jaromir Jagr have been wide-ranging through the years. Yes, Washington should give him a look. The Florida Panthers have made it clear they will not be bringing back the 45-year-old Jagr next season. Age 45 is ancient for an NHL-er, but Jagr has proven that he is in excellent condition, maintaining his body well enough to play an entire 82 game schedule last year. His 16/30/46 stat line would have ranked him seventh on the Caps in scoring, right behind the departed Justin Williams' 24/24/48. You would probably not miss a beat plugging Jagr in Williams' right wing spot on the second line. If Barry Trotz was not comfortable with that lineup, Jagr could at least be valuable on the power play. He could fill Williams' position on the second unit or, better yet in my opinion, bump Mojo from the first unit. Either way, I think there would be ample opportunity to get Jagr decent minutes without stunting the growth of any Washington's younger players. Besides the on-ice production I believe he is still capable of, number 68 could make a huge difference off-ice. Gone is the petulant teen star; in his place is veteran leader. Remarkably, Jagr has become an elder statesman representing the league and the game. He is respected by players. Imagine if he could impart upon Alex Ovechkin the importance of being fit enough to maintain skillful production as he ages gracefully. Ovechkin seems to have matured immensely from the party boy he was, but I'm willing to bet, based solely on the amount of Coke that he is said to consume, that Ovi's fitness level doesn't come close to Jagr's. Another steady hand of leadership couldn't hurt.
Salary may be an issue. The Caps can not squeeze Jagr's 2016-2017 salary of $3.5 million under their cap, but with few, if any, other offers, Jaromir may be willing to take a big cut to hook on a with a top-tier team. Jagr, with a positive impact, or, dare I say it, bringing a Cup, could erase all the bad feelings Caps fans have ever had towards him. I don't know if my idea could work. I don't know if Brian MacLellan or Jaromir Jagr would even consider it. I'm just saying this armchair GM might just be the lunatic you're looking for.
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