What Should the Devils Do With Jaromir Jagr?

The most productive and charismatic star in the NHL, Jaromir Jagr could end up heading back to the Czech League and the NHL can't afford that.

Devils GM Lou Lamoriello should consider offering Jagr a contract extension and today at the most. Jagr said in August that it could be his last season and then in September he said it depended on how well he played. Well, right now, he certainly looks like a beast out there. He said he plans to finish his career in the Czech League. He currently is an owner of the Kladno team.

The NHL would be losing that star if Jagr signed anywhere else next season. Clearly, I don't think he wants to leave the NHL and we shouldn't say goodbye. That goes the same for Teemu Selanne, who said he would retire after this season. The NHL doesn't want to lose both of them in the same season.

He is one of the greatest scorers in NHL history and is one of the most entertaining characters the NHL has ever seen. He might not be as productive or dynamic as he was previous seasons in the league, but everybody still sits down to see Jaromir Jagr take a shift.

Jagr has proven to be a massive athletic presence for anybody. He is funny, illuminating and insightful whenever he speaks. He's like a Cracker Jack box. You never know what you will find in him that's not funny or humorous.

But here's the bottom line: Jaromir Jagr will choose what he wants to do. If I were Lou Lamiorello, I would consider trying to get Jagr a contract extension. But Jagr will choose what he wants to do. If he wants to play for another NHL team, the Devils are willing to give him that. If he wants to return to the Czech League, I think the Devils will let that happen too. The NHL doesn't want to see him go and I could understand why. But it's his decision to make. The NHL has no choice but to either accept that or try some way to keep him around for another year or so. So the Devils could consider handing him a contract extension. If he wants to sign it, that's great news for the Devils. If not, well, hopefully Jagr can end his career either in the NHL or in the Czech League, where he says he wants to. He has a year to figure this out. In the meantime, he's the best productive scorer the Devils have right now.