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Sunday, July 29, 2001

By Dejan Kovacevic, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Is Jaromir Jagr a big enough attraction to sell tickets? It's been a long-running debate in these parts, but one which never really had a clear answer.

Until now.

The correct reply, apparently, is twofold: Yes, Jagr sells tickets. But no, not in Pittsburgh.

Cases in point ...

In Washington, sales are at an unprecedented pace since the Jagr trade July 11. From the time of the deal, the Capitals have sold 1,018 new season-ticket packages and kept up a strong rate of renewals.

"I can never remember anything like this. It's phenomenal," Capitals President Dick Patrick said by phone Friday. "You know, Jaromir was in Pittsburgh for a long time, and maybe people just got used to him there or were a little spoiled because Mario Lemieux also was there. But for us ... well, we had Peter Bondra, and he's very popular here, but this is different."

In Pittsburgh, meanwhile, sales are 15 percent ahead of the pace from this time last year. Despite an increase in prices. Despite the later release for the NHL schedule. And yes, despite the Jagr trade.

The total public backlash to that deal, as best the Penguins can assess, is one perturbed season-ticket holder and Jagr fan who called to cancel his or her plan.

"That's the only one," Tom Rooney, chief operating officer, said. "We feel our fans appreciate that the two most important people in the history of this franchise will be back next season, and they are Mario and Craig Patrick. We think the fans have confidence in our ability to put a product on the ice. We were in the final four last season. Our affiliate in Wilkes-Barre was in the final two. Our fans know what we're doing."

And, perhaps most important, they know Lemieux is there.

Since Jagr joined the Penguins in 1990, the team has averaged crowds of 16,295 in seasons in which Lemieux participated but 15,379 in those four in which he did not. This past season, the team sold out only two of its first 16 games before Lemieux's return but all 24 with him in the lineup.

Perhaps Jagr might have been a bigger draw in Pittsburgh had he been the franchise's focal point, its greatest player. But in this city, there is room for only one in that category.

Icy chips

The Predators are holding out hope Lemieux will make his visit to Nashville Nov. 23, even though the Penguins play at home the next night and Lemieux might sit out rather than play on consecutive days. Nashville is the only NHL city in which Lemieux has not played. "One thing about Mario is that he sees the big picture," Predators President Jack Diller said. "From a league and personal standpoint, I'm sure playing in every arena once would be a goal of his."

Salaries for recently signed restricted free agents to ponder as the Penguins begin five arbitration hearings Thursday: If Markus Naslund is worth $2.75 million, $4.5 million, $4.5 million and $4.75 million over four years to the Canucks, what are Alexei Kovalev and Martin Straka worth? And if Dan McGillis is worth $2.8 million, $3 million and $3.2 million to the Flyers, what is Darius Kasparaitis worth?

The Capitals have engaged in some D.C.-style spin that they gave up nothing in the Jagr deal, but scouts say otherwise. The Hockey News Future Watch annually lists the top 50 NHL prospects in the world, as evaluated by executives who are not allowed to vote for their own. In the 2001 edition, Kris Beech is rated 11th and Michal Sivek 40th. Ross Lupaschuk didn't make the list, but he was cited as the Capitals' sixth-best prospect.

Three other Penguins are on the list -- Milan Kraft is 10th, Brooks Orpik 21st and Konstantin Koltsov 33rd -- giving them more than any team.

The toughest decision Craig Patrick has left this summer might have nothing to do with the Penguins. As general manager of the U.S. Olympic team, he has to pick a goaltender from Mike Richter, Rick DiPietro, Mike Dunham, Brent Johnson and Brian Boucher. And remember, Richter is coming off major knee surgery. Anyone else out there?

The Baby Penguins will play a regular-season game in Pittsburgh again this winter, but the date has yet to be determined.

Only 64 days until the puck drops between Lemieux and Joe Sakic.

Dejan Kovacevic can be reached at dkovacevic@ post-gazette.com.