I'm a fourth line player, says Jagr. He's already become a scout
July 15, 2021 4:09 PM
At 49 years old, Jaromir Jagr is preparing for another hockey season, and he will play in the league again with Kladno after a one-year break. But due to stadium renovations, it won't be at home and he is tempering expectations. "I'm more of a fourth line player now," he says.
On Thursday morning, he introduced seven new reinforcements, including assistant coach Jeff Paul, who spent the last two years scouting in the NHL for the Florida Panthers.
He said the Knights will probably find sanctuary in Chomutov since their own rink has no roof.
And he praised Tomas Plekanec for helping the team assemble.
With what ambitions will you go into the next season?
The fact that we won't be playing games at home has changed our ambitions. I wanted to build a team that will compete with everyone in the extra-league. Now the main goal is to save ourselves, we won't fool ourselves. Two teams may well be relegated (meaning one directly and one after the barrage).
What will be the role of the new coach Paul?
He should get the best out of the players, he has already acted as such a liaison when selecting reinforcements. Six overseas players is a big bite, almost one third of the team, so I hope Paul will help in this. He also came in thanks to Tomas Plekanec.
How's that?
He played the biggest role in the deal. We talked about how we need to get a Canadian, they can squeeze players out. Tomas helped me with that. The management left it up to us to choose the players and the coach, so we looked for the best.
So you became a scout?
I have an incredible number of positions, an incredible number of functions (laughs).
Do you expect the coach and the new players to influence your style of play?
The original plan was to bring in as many players from overseas as possible, since we are the only team in the league with Sparta that has a narrow rink like in the NHL. Fans saw at this year's championship what a difference it is to play on narrow and wide ice. In Chomutov they have 28 meters wide, that's the middle.
Why Chomutov and not the O2 arena in Prague, which would be more acceptable to the fans?
There are many reasons. We don't know what's going to happen in two months, if they're going to allow spectators. It would be more difficult to negotiate advertising conditions with Sparta, they have their own partners. We might bump into each other if Billa and Kaufland were to fight (Sparta has Billa as a partner, Kladno has Kaufland). In Chomutov they are more likely to accommodate us.
Last year you tuned your form mainly for the playoffs in the first league, but this year you will need to collect points in every extra league game, do you count on that?
We are in a difficult situation. When we were promoted, the best Czech players were already dismantled, I knew it would be a problem to put the team together. We will miss some of the best fans in the country. The teams that come to us can't say that we have easy games. But there's no point in complaining, we're not helping ourselves.
How do you feel?
I don't consider myself a decision maker anymore. I'm on the fourth line and on the power play... I'm slowly reinventing myself as a manager. I'm still playing because it's better for the team economically, but I know I'm not as much of an asset as I used to be.
Do you still enjoy hockey?
I do, otherwise I wouldn't play despite the financial benefits. Just ask me another day, I'll probably answer differently every time... It's a lot easier when things are going well.
Have you had time to rest this summer?
I was in Spain for a few days, but the constant tests and checks made me so sick that I won't be going anywhere for a long time. I couldn't sniff for 14 days.
Are you dealing with vaccinations in the team?
I haven't seen the players yet, we didn't discuss vaccinations during the summer training, it's too much discussed in the Czech Republic.
New Kladno jerseys:
The Kladno Knights have introduced new jerseys for the 2021/22 season.
So you haven't changed your mind?
I have always been of the opinion that I don't want to advise people and tell them what to do. Let everyone decide what is best for them. Why should an athlete who's been chasing the puck his whole life do that? We have a million experts on that. I expected the medical elite to sit down and tell us the pros and cons of vaccinations, but to have a hockey player do it? Nonsense. I'm not against vaccinations, I just don't want to share my opinion to influence anyone. I try not to give advice, I've learned my lesson, because when I give my opinion, it always backfires on me. I take care of myself.
Back to hockey, how do you like the reinforcements?
I hope the goalie catches all the games, otherwise our goalie coach, who is about 120 kilos (laughs), will have to go in goal. The defense has height, weight, I like it when the backs are respectful because they are tall. And the elite offense with Pleky should be Kristo and Ciampini.
So do you have the roster assembled?
If they all play the way I imagine, yes. But you can't plan the human factor, we'll see from the preliminary games.
Aren't you worried about Dotchin? He played over 100 games in the NHL, but he was kicked out of Tampa for being overweight.
I always have to worry, I don't care, but I believe that everyone will come as prepared as possible. It's their chance to prove themselves. When I talk to agents, I say one important thing: we can't pay a player, but we can give him an opportunity. The players here can prove that they are better than the clubs thought before.
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