Deadline Doosie

The Venerable Off Wing Opinion points me to this article out of New York where Larry Brooks claims the Rangers are looking to trade Jaromir Jagr.

That my friends would be a doosie...

However, remember folks, Ol' Lar was openly telling then Pittsburgh GM Craig Patrick that he had no choice but to trade Jagr to the Rangers in 2001. Brooks was beside himself when the Caps outmaneuvered the Rangers and got Jagr from the Penguin Scum. Brooks later claimed that the Caps were begging the Rangers to take Jagr before the 2003-2004 season started but the Rangers weren't interested in Jagr. Mind you, that was the first time in the history of Larry Brooks that the Rangers were not interested in any superstar player coming to play for them.

Now Ol' Lar tells us that Sather has said that Jagr could be had if the deal "knocks him out."

Sounds like the Rangers really don't want him huh? Jagr can't be had for a seventh round draft pick, a bag of used pucks, and a lukewarm cup of coffee. No, the deal has to "knock Sather out." (Which means the cup of coffee has to be hot, fresh, and loaded with lots of cream and lots of sugar...)

Well, first of all, the term "knocks him out" applies to just about every single player on every single NHL roster. There are very few players that if the deal "knocks him out" that a GM would still say no to. For instance, even if somebody made an offer than knocked George McPhee out, he still wouldn't trade A.O. The idea that Jagr has "lost" this protected status really shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. Jagr hasn't been that kind of player for at least a decade now. The fact that Larry Brooks (who has recently openly turned on Jagr) is the one publicizing this should be even less of a shock.

Finally, when even Ol' Lar tells us that the chances of Jagr moving today are virtually nil, that should also tell you something. Jagr isn't going anywhere, anytime soon at least, and this is nothing right now more than wishful thinking on the part of Jagr haters.