The long, strange trip that has been Jaromir Jagr's NHL career has taken one more - perhaps, one final - turn.
The Florida Panthers announced Thursday that they had acquired Jagr from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2015 NHL Draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
At 6-foot-3, 230-pounds and 43 years old, the future Hall of Famer is a much slower, heavier player than he once was. He provides a steadying veteran presence though, as well as strong possession skills for a Panthers lineup that now consists of six players with Stanley Cup pedigrees.
Even at his advanced age, he still has high-level scoring ability and will most likely see time on the power play for Florida.
Jagr, a 21-year NHL veteran, had admitted in recent days that he wasn't happy with his - nearly nonexistent - role with the Devils and would prefer to be traded.
He got his wish.
ESPN's Pierre LeBrun reports that no salary has been retained by New Jersey in the deal - Jagr signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with the Devils prior to the season - and that the conditional third-round pick is a pick-em for the Devils ahead of the 2016 draft - the Panthers currently have two third-rounders.
The Devils are, however, responsible for Jagr's $2 million games played bonus.
Jagr, drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first-round of the 1990 NHL Draft, has played for the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins. He ranks first among active NHL players in points (1,784), games played (1,530), assists (1,068), goals (716), plus/minus (+284) and power play goals (202).
He is first all-time in NHL history in game-winning goals (127).
