Could Jagr Still Return Someday?

I am writing this article in response to a blog written by Rob Rossi from the Pittsburgh Tribune Review.  In it, Rossi talks about Jagr potentially returning to the Penguins at some point in the future.  Inside I take a look at that possibility.



"Don’t rule out a reunion and a number retirement ceremony."  These are the words used by Trib writer, Rob Rossi to discuss the possibility of a Penguins/Jagr reunion.  In the blog, Rossi disputes the opinion that Jagr spurned the Pens.  In fact, he says that he has heard that Jagr still hopes for a "fences-mending moment."  Apparently, the Penguins, in Jagr's view, did not have a place for him.  However, Bylsma wanted Jagr for his powerplay prowess.  The real questions are:

• Has Jagr tarnished his reputation beyond repair?
• My feelings on this are that Jagr has not damaged the relationship beyond repair, but it is hanging on by threads.  I think Jagr hurt the Penguin fan base when he left the first time, and he cut them pretty deep this past off-season.  It feels like the epitome of "fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."  However, I do not believe Jagr joined the Flyers in spite of the fans of Pittsburgh.  I think he valued the extra playing time he would get in Philadelphia. 
• Will Jagr be a Penguin again before he retires?
• I do not believe this will happen.  I have a hard time seeing where he would fit in.  If Bylsma originally wanted him for the powerplay, I don't see that as an opening anymore.  Malkin, Crosby, Neal, and Letang are mainstays.  Malkin and Crosby both love working the sidewall, the same place Jagr loves to roam.  Therefore, it's tough to imagine Jagr in a Penguins sweater again.  I do think the relationship with Pittsburgh will be rebuilt years down the road, but not before he retires.  Eventually, I can imagine a #68 sweater hanging from the rafters in Consol Energy Center.

Some quotes to end on. 

These are some of the things that Jagr said in 2008 in his last year with the Rangers.

Talking about the Penguins:
"I loved it here. Why would I want to be traded? Especially when I didn't know where I was going to go."
Talking about why he asked for a trade from the Penguins:
"Maybe I was sad a year later or I was sad when they traded me because I said that just to try to push them to find the money or get a new arena.  Being a young player, you don't think like a businessman."

This is from an article in December 2011.

On if he would like to repair his relationship with Pittsburgh:
"Of course, it would mean a lot. But it’s not in my hands."