Back when he was with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jaromir Jagr openly talked about wanting to come to New York to play for the Rangers, after a disappointing stay with the Washington Capitals his wishes finally came true. General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the New York Rangers have acquired the All Star right wing in exchange for the disappointing Anson Carter, who returns to the team where he began his NHL career.
Reports suggest that the deal included Jagr deferring approximately 1 million dollars per year on the four remaining years of his contract, with the Capitals also picking up what appears to be 5 of the 11 million he is due. The contract also includes an option year that kicks in if he meets one of several marks. In exchange, the Ranger gave up Carter who has struggled since coming over last year in a deal that sent Radek Dvorak to the Edmonton Oilers. Carter had just 17 points in 43 games this season and was a team worst -12.
In Jagr, the Rangers have acquired one of the best scorers in the league and someone they hope will greatly improve a power play that has been inconsistent at best and ranks 18th in the NHL. The 6’2″ Czech native has two 50 goal seasons to his name and four seasons in which he has registered 100 points or better and now becomes the Rangers leading goal scorer and point getter by virtue of his 16 goals and 45 points in 46 games.
Also acquired today was journeyman defenseman Jamie Pushor, from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a 2004 8th Round draft pick. Pushor, who started his career in the Detroit Red WIngs organization as a 2nd round pick, has 13 goals and 44 assists in 511 NHL games with Detroit, Anaheim, Dallas, Pittsburgh and two stints with Columbus. Having signed with the Blue Jackets after the season started, Pushor has spent most of his year in the AHL, a position the 30 year old defenseman has found himself for the first time in his career.
Statistics:
Jaromir Jagr
Birthdate: 2/15/1972
Height: 6-2
Weight: 228
Salary: $11,000,000 (through 2007-08 with an option for 2008-09)
Career: 997GP 522G 758A 1280Pts 687PIM
2003-04: 46GP 16G 29A 45Pts 26PIM
Jamie Pushor
Birthdate: 2/11/1973
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
Salary: $500,000 (one year deal)
Career: 511GP 13G 44A 57Pts 648PIM
2003-04: 7GP 0G 0A 0Pts 2PIM
Anson Carter
Birthdate: 6/6/1974
Height: 6-1
Weight: 190
Salary: $2,800,000 (one year deal)
Career: 122GP 12G 9A 21Pts 55PIM
2001-02: 495GP 153G 174A 327Pts 164PIM