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| Tue. Jun 26, 2001 Jaromir Jagr is apparently getting fed up. A news conference was held today in his Prague sports bar, perhaps in response to reports last week that Craig Patrick was stating that the star winger may very well still be skating with the team at the beginning of their next season. "At this stage, we have passed the point of no return ... There is no reason to dwell on it. I want it, Pittsburgh wants it too. It will be the best solution for both sides...I don't care where I play my game." The question is, who can afford the $20+ million dollar price tag, especially if one takes into account Jagr's somewhat lackluster performance, not just during the play-offs, but indeed throughout the year leading up to Mario's December comeback. A second consideration would perhaps be what will the Pens be able to get in return. The neighbours are starting to look quite dangerous with their recent acquisitions - take a look at the Islanders, new home to Alexei Yashin and Michael Peca. Pittsburgh needs to look to their plans for a new arena, as well as the lengthy list of talented players coming up for free agency in a matter of days. Speculation and drama - you have to love the wonderful business of hockey .... |
| A R C H I V E D N E W S I T E M S A R C H I V E D N E W S I T E M S A R C H I V E D N E W S I T E M S A R C H I V E D N E W S I T E M S |
| June 24 - 30, 2001 |
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| Fri. June 29, 2001 Pens have given agent Mike Barnett permission to talk to the NY Rangers and other "specific teams" about Jagr. Dallas, having not picked up Brett Hull's option, appear to also be very interested. It's expected that Bob Boughner will be presented with a qualifying offer of a little over 1 million dollars, which may finally necessitate the trade of Darius Kasparaitis. Agent Mark Gandler confirmed that Darius is ".. prepared to go..." and had ".. expected this back in March... I know how Darius feels about the city of Pittsburgh and about playing for that team, but we also understand it's a business". Though Phoenix was rumoured to be interested, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is now reporting that a more likely suitor might be the N Y Islanders. The defenseman spent his first five NHL seasons in Long Island and still maintains his off-season home there. |
| Sat. June 30, 2001 2001/ 02 Regular Season opener - The Pens will face Stanley Cup champs the Colorado Avalanche at Mellon Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 03 at 8 pm There are unconfirmed reports that Janne Laukkanen has sustained a non-hockey related knee injury in his homeland of Finland, and will now miss the entire 2001 / 02 season. |