However, he did manage to hook up with a club that has a much cooler name than “Rangers” ; ie. the Russian Super League’s Avangard Omsk, of whom Jaromir Jagr already played for during the NHL’s lockout year of ’04/05. The Rangers yesterday signed former Canucks C Markus Naslund — he of the dramatically decreasing offensive production —effectively ending Jarg’s 4 year tenure on Broadway. TSN is reporting Jagr has inked a 3 year, $35 million tax-free pact with Omsk, far more than Glen Sather would’ve paid to keep the 5 time Art Ross Trophy winner.
I’m struggling to think of the last time another NY superstar took his services outside of North America, but given the likelihood of Stephon Marbury playing in Italy (or Carlos Delgado taking his game to Japan and/or outer space), this could would well be the start of a fantastic trend.