PITTSBURGH — After 37 seasons, Jaromir Jagr’s storied career as a professional hockey player may finally be coming to a close.
The 52-year-old said by phone Thursday that he intends to retire after the current Czech Extraliga season.
In a Czech-language Instagram post on Tuesday, Jagr referred to his “last season,” an apparent and subtle acknowledgment of his plan to retire after the season ends for HC Rytíři Kladno, Jagr’s hometown team that he also owns. Jagr notched an assist in Kladno’s first game of the season on Wednesday.
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Jagr’s agent, Jaroslav Zidek, reportedly told Russia’s state-sponsored sports television station Match TV about the retirement plan. Zidek did not respond to an interview request from The Athletic.
The Penguins, for whom he spent 11 of his 24 NHL seasons, raised Jagr’s No. 68 to the rafters in February, and Penguins president of business operations Kevin Acklin said he and Jagr have loosely discussed Jagr joining the organization in some capacity after Jagr’s playing days are finished.
“I’d love to see him in the fold,” Acklin said in March.
“Clearly, this is a guy who has a love for this franchise and city that needs to be cultivated. I don’t know what that looks like. We have talked about the future.”
A few weeks after his jersey was retired in a ceremony at PPG Paints Arena, a shipment of Jagr-themed bobbleheads was stolen before it could be delivered to the Penguins — adding another tale to his legend in Pittsburgh.
Jagr last played in the NHL in 2017-18. He ranks second in points (1,921), fourth in goals (766) and games (1,733), and fifth in assists (1,155). His major accomplishments happened in Pittsburgh from 1990-2001, when he won the Stanley Cup twice, the Art Ross Trophy as scoring leader five times and the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1998.
Evgeni Malkin, a Russian-born Penguins star who practiced with Jagr last season a day before the jersey retirement ceremony in Pittsburgh, joked Thursday that he will take a wait-and-see approach to Jagr’s retirement.
“Do you believe him?” Malkin said. “I think he, like, play forever.”
Turning serious, Malkin called Jagr “the legend.”
“If he’s happy to be with his girlfriend and family — good for him,” Malkin said. “If he still plays — good for him.
“To me, I’m not understand how he plays. He’s animal. At 52 years old he still plays at great level.
“I hope he plays without injury. And I hope he retires, enjoys life and be owner of his team — and be around our team.”
Sidney Crosby, who along with Malkin practiced with Jagr for a day last season, marveled one of his predecessors as Penguins captain “has played a lot longer than anybody thought.”
“It’s incredible what he’s accomplished,” Crosby said. “He probably deserves the rest.”
As for Jagr potentially being around more in Pittsburgh after his retirement, Crosby was all for the possibility.
“Anytime you can have former players, guys that have been part of the organization, especially someone with his stature and experience — I think it’s really important. It helps with the culture. And for young guys coming in, it helps to hear the perspective of guys before them. It’s always a positive thing to have that.”
When can Jaromir Jagr be inducted into the Hall of Fame?
The Hockey Hall of Fame has yet to induct Jagr because he remained an active player for Kladno. He will be eligible for induction three years after his retirement.
Only nine players have had the three-year minimum requirement waived, with Wayne Gretzky (1999) and Jagr’s boyhood idol and former teammate Mario Lemieux (1997) being the last.
Barring an exception, Jagr is likely to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as part of the 2028 class.
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(Photo: Justin Berl / Getty Images)
