Dan Bylsma Addresses Jaromir Jagr Rumors

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Would Dan Bylsma like to add a player like Jaromir Jagr to the Penguins roster in a perfect world? Absolutely, at least according to some quotes from the Penguins’ head coach supplied by Sam Kasan of the team’s’ official website.

On adding Jaromir Jagr:
Hypothetically, you’re talking about a guy in his last year in the National Hockey League had 75 points. That’s leading our team last year. That’s an intriguing thing to think about. He’s a power-play guy. What you saw him do in the World Championship against NHL-caliber players was nothing short of outstanding on a bigger ice surface. Those are intriguing things to think about hypothetically. It’s tough not to think about adding 75 points to your roster if it’s something you’re capable of doing.

On if he’ll lobby Shero to add Jagr:
We were having the coaches meetings and there was an article in the Russian paper about some interest on Jagr’s part in talking to the Penguins. That was about a month ago. We found that to be amusing since that wasn’t true. But it was intriguing to see that it was out there that the had said there was interest there.

Lots of caveats and non-denials. Still, Bylsma’s respect for Jagr’s ability is quite evident.

Bylsma added that he, personally, has had zero contact with Jagr and that the organization hasn’t either. Whether that’s true or not is anyone’s guess at this point.

Jagr could just be using the Penguins as a bargaining chip, as some have suggested. The Penguins could be doing the same thing, putting pressure on players like Tyler Kennedy to agree to reasonable terms.

Either way, this should all play out in the very near future.