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Penguins trade sulking star to playoff rival Washington for three young prospects and a $10 million payroll cut

Thursday, July 12, 2001

By Dejan Kovacevic, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Imagine Jack Lambert lining up on defense for the Cleveland Browns.

Or Willie Stargell hitting the ball over the fence for the Cincinnati Reds.

It's no less difficult to picture Jaromir Jagr skating for the Washington Capitals, but that's what Pittsburgh's hockey fans faced yesterday when the Penguins traded one of the most accomplished athletes in the city's sports history to their perennial playoff rival.

	Jaromir Jagr during a match against the Capitals last year during the Stanley Cup playoffs. (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette)

"Yeah, it will be a little strange when you think about it, but I'm sure he'll be a great player in Washington," Penguins General Manager Craig Patrick said. "It's a little sad Jaromir can't finish his career here. He did so many great things for Pittsburgh, for this franchise. It's been a great ride for all of us."

That Jagr's 11 years in Pittsburgh reached an end yesterday came as no surprise. His trade had been anticipated for the past month.

That he ended up in Washington, on the other hand, surprised many.

For one, it was the wealthy New York Rangers who had been pursuing Jagr most eagerly and drawing most of the attention and speculation. For another, the Penguins and Capitals are regular combatants in the Stanley Cup playoffs, the Penguins having won six of seven series since 1991.

Patrick smiled uneasily when asked if he thought twice about dealing Jagr to Washington.

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"That's a concern," he said. "We'll definitely see them in the playoffs again, no question about that. We just have to be a good enough team to beat them again. That's our goal every year, to make sure we beat the Capitals in the first round."

The trade sent Jagr and defenseman Frantisek Kucera to the Capitals for three little-known, 20-year-old prospects -- forwards Kris Beech and Michal Sivek and defenseman Ross Lupaschuk.

Undisclosed future considerations also were given to the Penguins, and that is believed to be a $5 million payment over the next two years. There also exists a strong chance the teams are not finished dealing. In a separate trade, the Penguins could ship center Jan Hrdina to the Capitals for right winger Dainius Zubrus.

All of the prospects acquired by the Penguins will be signed to professional contracts this summer, but only Beech, a talented center who balances offense and defense, has a reasonable chance of playing in Pittsburgh next season.

By trading away Jagr's $10 million salary and Kucera's $1.2 million salary, the Penguins gave a hefty trim to their payroll for next season, particularly considering that the prospects' combined pay isn't likely to top $1 million.

The Penguins still intend to increase their payroll from $31 million to $34 million for next season. Any savings from the Jagr trade, Patrick said, would go toward re-signing the team's other prominent players, notably forwards Alexei Kovalev, Martin Straka and Robert Lang, who could command as much as $5 million in raises between them.

Patrick emphasized that it was Jagr who wanted the trade more than the team, revealing that Jagr informed him two days after the season ended that he no longer wished to play in Pittsburgh.

	Jaromir Jagr in 1997 (Darrell Sapp, Post-Gazette)

"It's difficult," Patrick said. "Jaromir's been here 11 years, accomplished so much in this city. ... But by the same token, he wanted to be moved out. It wouldn't have been in the best interest of the team to keep someone here who didn't want to be here."

Jagr, 29, is coming off what he has called the worst season of his career. Off the ice, he frequently was moody and pouting, in part because of problems with his personal finances, including some bad investments. On the ice, despite winning his fourth consecutive NHL scoring title, his performance was questioned by coaches and teammates.

His most vocal critic was center Mario Lemieux, also the team's owner. Lemieux chastised Jagr during the recent playoffs and after the season, making it clear he was not in favor of giving nearly a third of his team's payroll to a player whose attitude was less than exemplary.

Patrick had difficulty making the trade

He received interest from less than a handful of NHL teams. Most were frightened away by the $20.7 million Jagr is slated to earn in the next two seasons. The Rangers were in the running from the moment the season ended last month, but Patrick was displeased that New York was reluctant to offer young players or prospects.

Washington entered the bidding only this week, eager to acquire the star it always had lacked.

Capitals General Manager George McPhee yesterday offered Patrick what he felt were Washington's top three prospects. Patrick consulted with his scouting staff and received enthusiastic support to go through with the trade.

Patrick was aware yesterday that he will be criticized in many circles for parting with Jagr for three little-known players, but he asked for patience from the team's fans.

"I'd say five years," Patrick said. "Give it time."

Jagr, at home in the Czech Republic, spoke with Patrick and McPhee after the trade was announced at 4 p.m. here, but he did not take calls from reporters.

His agent, Mike Barnett, said no talks have begun toward extending Jagr's contract with Washington. The Capitals are sure to request an extension since Jagr is eligible for unrestricted free agency when his current deal expires in 2004.