Jaromir Jagr is one of the few remaining free agents that could still make an impact on any team willing to take a chance on him. So why is the veteran still unsigned? It could be that he is 41 and many teams view him as washing up at this point. Jagr has made it clear that he intends on playing again in 2013 so why would a team not at least sign him for a year? Whatever the reason, Jagr is starting to see the big picture.
The veteran forward took to Facebook to post a bizarre video offering up a small update on his future in hockey. Speaking in Czech, Sport.cz was able to make sense of the video giving a rough translation. According to the site, Jagr said he will have further updates on Wednesday, but "as for my next job here in the NHL, I have to say that I see a lot of black."
So, is that black as in nothing or black as in the colors of the Los Angeles Kings? It could mean anything, so as of now everything is pure speculation. For the record, the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes and Anaheim Ducks are just a few teams that have sported a variation of black in their uniforms at one point or another.
Jagr split the 2012-13 season between the Dallas Stars and the Boston Bruins. He failed to score during the postseason, but up 16 goals and 19 assists throughout the year. Jagr's future in the NHL could be down to either the Ottawa Senators or the Carolina Hurricanes. The Senators are a team on the rise. They have drafted well in recent years while developing other young players. General manager Bryan Murray is currently considering adding a veteran scorer after the departure of Daniel Alfredsson. With plenty of cap room, Jagr could be an option.
The Hurricanes have also shown some interest as general manager Jim Rutherford wants a top veteran for cheap. If Jagr gets desperate, he will be as cheap as they come. Jagr has said Carolina is on his small wish list of teams and his past relations with team vice president Ron Francis help his case.
Wednesday will make Jagr's future a little more clear. The veteran could be opting to play overseas instead of in the NHL. He could also call it a career altogether.
