There was something charming about Jaromir Jagr’s hat-trick against the Philadelphia Flyers last week, his first three-goal game in nine years.
Not so charming for New Jersey Devils fans was that it also served as the highlight of a truly forgettable season.
Read more: NHL’s ironman Jaromir Jagr still going strong for New Jersey Devils
The Devils are foundering near the Eastern Conference basement. They replaced coach Peter DeBoer with three people – Adam Oates to direct the forwards, Scott Stevens to direct the defence, general manager Lou Lamoriello to manage the games and no one to take responsibility.
Four players have caught the mumps. They also have been ravaged by injuries. It seems obvious they will miss the post-season for a third consecutive year. It would be tolerable if the Devils were using the season to rebuild with youth, but they began it as the oldest team (average age of 31) in the NHL – for the second year in a row.
Which brings us back to future Hall of Famer Jagr, who is not exactly the future of the franchise. Their star from the Czech Republic – who played his first game in the NHL 25 years ago and is one month short of his 43rd birthday – became the oldest player to record a hat-trick.
His one-game spree also solidified his place as the team’s top dog this year, with nine goals and 25 points.
Charming, yet, for New Jersey, so depressing.
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