FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Jaromir Jagr is back in Florida because of the Stanley Cup and, hey, it’s not the worst spot to vacation.
Yes, the former Panther (and current Kladno Knight) has ties to the team trying to clinch consecutive championships Tuesday night, but he also has a deep appreciation for the Edmonton Oilers — and particularly Connor McDavid.
The two hockey icons caught up in the bowels of Amerant Bank Arena following Game 4.
“Gotten a chance to meet him a couple of times now,” McDavid said. “Obviously, a legend of the game. One of the greatest to ever do it. Cool to spend some time with him.”
So, when we spotted the 53-year-old Jagr — dressed in a crisp black-on-black New York Yankees cap, black T-shirt splashed with a large, distressed white cross, mullet now contained to business causal — a football’s throw from the beach, we couldn’t help but ask for a stop-and-chat.
Ever gracious, the 53-year-old took some time to offer his thoughts on the series.
SPORTSNET.CA: How would you describe your relationship with Connor McDavid?
JAROMIR JAGR: I respect the game he plays. It’s fun to watch. The way he plays, he sometimes makes very good players look silly. And it’s special. I always admire people who are greater than the rest of ’em. I believe in God. [Jagr points to the cross on his T-shirt.] So, I can see the God in him. It’s something that’s great. I always appreciate it. Because it’s got to be something more than the rest of us.
He’s been touched by God?
Some higher energy. Something. You just gotta have something extra to be dominating on that level. You gotta have something special. Like, when you look at basketball, you get Jordan. You got to be different. And to be that different, it’s special. That’s the way I see it. I can appreciate the greatness of the people. Gretzky was different. Mario Lemieux was different.
You were different.
I was kind of strong. I was built. I was born on a farm. You know, my dad made me do 1,000 squats every day for 10 years before I went to the NHL. So, I always thought: I’m the strongest on the ice, no matter who plays against me. I always thought that. And that’s what I build on. It was my core, and I wanted to keep it.
What impresses you most about the Panthers?
They’re a complete team. The way I see it, they got a lot of guys who can score goals. They proved it the last two games. Three lines can score. And that fourth one, they’re doing a great job. I feel like they have bigger depth. Plus, on other side, you got the best duo in the league. So, it’s kind of funny for the managers: how are you going to build a team? You build a team, or you find superstars and see who’s gonna win?
Why are the oldest guys on these teams, Corey Perry and Brad Marchand, thriving? Is it a desperation, knowing their time may be running out?
I don’t think their time is running out. It’s up to them. I feel like the league was lot tougher before, harder because it was a more physical game. Now, it’s more speedy. But if you’re a good skater, you don’t get tired skating up and down. It’s tougher in playoffs. That’s why I feel like it was a tougher game (when Marchand and Perry entered the NHL), because there was a lot of one-on-one battles. The rules and everything changed. It’s more speed. Nobody can hook you; nobody can hold you. But if you’re a good skater, it’s easier. It’s quicker, but it’s easier. You don’t get tired as much. Those guys, they were built for the tougher game a long time ago. As long as they can keep up the speed, they should have an advantage.
So, as a former Panther, are you banging the drum before Game 6?
No, no. I like the other players in the NHL.
What about next year? Are you gonna play?
I think so. Hopefully, yeah.
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