Jagr Doesn't Want to Play for Penguins, Either

Much was made Wednesday of Marian Hossa's decision to sign a one-year deal with Stanley Cup champion Detroit, rather than take one of several lucrative multi-year offers that were available to him.

While Detroit is a fine team with fine fans, it's hard to get past the idea that Hossa simply didn't want to play for Pittsburgh anymore.

Once Hossa bolted, attention turned to Rangers captain Jaromir Jagr, who started his NHL career in Pittsburgh. While he was booed lustily during the Rangers' playoff series against the Penguins, it was still assumed that the Pens had a good shot at signing Jagr.

After all, who doesn't want to play with Sidney Crosby?

Evidently, Jaromir Jagr is going to pass on that chance.

Instead of taking an NHL team's offer, Jagr has decided to return overseas (NOTE: I'm an idiot, and carelessly said Russia was his "homeland". Thanks to the folks who called out my error), signing a two-year deal to play in Russia.

The Russian hockey team Avangard Omsk announced it has signed the former New York Rangers star and Jagr's agent, Pat Brisson, confirmed the move Friday afternoon.

"Jaromir signed a letter of intent with the Avangard Omsk Hockey team of the Russian CHL on or about 3am EST this morning. I won't comment on the terms of the agreement at this time.It was a very difficult but personal decision to make in light of the many NHL teams interested in his services. He is grateful to the NHL and especially the Rangers in recent years."

Local and international media are reporting that Jagr will be paid $35 million for two years. There is also reportedly an option for a third season.

Well, it's hard to fault Jagr for taking that offer. If the reported salary is correct, Jagr will likely make double what any NHL team was going to pay him, and also more than any NHL team would be allowed to pay him (because of the rule limiting a player's salary to 20 percent of the cap).

I had never been a Jagr fan, but I developed a great respect for him with how he played in the postseason this year. He carried himself like a captain, something I had never really observed from him in the past. I was hopeful he would re-sign in Pittsburgh, because it would be a great fit for his talents, and he could have helped Sidney Crosby back to the Cup Finals.

Instead, Jagr will play two years in Russia, for the team (Avangard Omsk) that he played for during the lockout year of 2004-2005. At age 36, there's no way of knowing if we'll ever see him in the NHL again.