A Capital Gain for Washington - hockey

The five-time scoring champ looks to revive his career in D.C., while lifting the Caps in the standings and at the box office

THE WASHINGTON CAPITALS may have lost $20 million last season, but Washington owner Ted Leonsis vows the franchise's financial picture will be a lot rosier in 2001-02 thanks to the offseason acquisition of Jaromir Jagr.

The Capitals are counting on the 6'2", 235-pound forward to elevate them to the NHL's elite both on the ice and at the box office.

"Jaromir can pay for himself," Leonsis says. "This guy is a brand."

And he's the offensive star the Capitals always seem to lack to make them true Stanley Cup contenders. Jagr had 121 points last season, 39 more than Washington's leading scorer, center Adam Oates.

Jagr has five scoring titles to his credit, including the last four running. In fact, the only names besides Jagr's etched on the Art Ross Trophy over the last two decades are Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. The Capitals, on the other hand, have never had a player lead the NHL in scoring.

A six-player blockbuster deal in 1982 that brought future Hail of Fame defenseman Rod Langway to the Caps was the catalyst in transforming the woebegone franchise into a perennial playoff contender.

But Washington GM George McPhee believes the Jagr trade--which sent three prospects (forwards Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, and Ross Lupaschuk), plus $5 million cash to Pittsburgh--could even have a bigger impact.

"It's the biggest deal in the history of our club," McPhee says. "One day we're going to bring a Stanley Cup to Washington and Jaromir wants to show everyone he is the best player in the world."

Since reaching the Cup Finals in 1998, Washington has been disappointing, missing the playoffs altogether in 1999 and then being bumped in the first round the last two seasons by Jagr's old team.

Now with Jagr on board, the Capitals are ready for a much longer postseason run.

"I don't think people took us seriously in the playoffs," Capitals goalie Olaf Kolzig says. "I think Jagr will be the difference in a team losing in the first round to a team that can go a long way. I think he can do here what Mario Lemieux did in Pittsburgh."

HOCKEY DIGEST recently sat down with Jagr to talk about his new team, his old team, and the prospect of lining up against his former boss.

HOCKEY DIGEST: Do you look forward to playing against your old team and Mario in Pittsburgh on December 21?

JAROMIR JAGR: It will be strange to play against Mario. He was my idol since I was 15. I was very lucky to be drafted by Pittsburgh and have a chance to play with my idol. Not many players can say that. It will be quite a different feeling. Some people will be happy to see me. Some people will boo.

HD: Were you anxious for a fresh start?

JJ: I didn't feel right in Pittsburgh and it was a lot of things. It was time to move on. All the bad experiences I had in the playoffs and all the pressure from the media and the fans--a lot of people started questioning me. I knew if I wanted to be the player I was before or if I wanted to be the same player, I needed a change. I am ready to start a new era.

I had a great 11 years in Pittsburgh. I won five scoring rifles and two Stanley Cups. I learned a lot. If Pittsburgh decides to retire my jersey, they will. If they don't, tough luck. I want to play another 10 years. Maybe it will even be better. Washington has a great team and I want to make Washington fans happy.

HD: Do you still think you're the best player in the world? Or is that something you have to prove again?

JJ: I don't think I am the best player in the world, but I am going to try to make it show. I had more ups and downs than before, this past season. I am not satisfied with the season I had, especially in the playoffs. I tried to do more this offseason. I worked out more than I ever did before. I am ready to prove to everybody that I can still play great hockey. I have big goals, but it will be tough. I have a lot of things to prove. I know what I can do.

Jaromir Jagr's Career Statistics

Position: Right wing
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 235
Born: February 15, 1972, in Kladno, Czechoslovakia
Drafted: By Pittsburgh, No. 5 overall, 1990

SEASON     TEAM           GAMES    GOALS    ASST.    PTS.    +/-     PP

1990-91    Pittsburgh      80        27       30      57      -4      7
1991-92    Pittsburgh      70        32       37      69      12      4
1992-93    Pittsburgh      81        34       60      94      30     10
1993-94    Pittsburgh      80        32       67      99      15      9
1994-95    Pittsburgh      48        32       38      70      23      8
1995-96    Pittsburgh      82        62       87     149      31     20
1996-97    Pittsburgh      63        47       48      95      22     11
1997-98    Pittsburgh      77        35       67     102      17      7
1998-99    Pittsburgh      81        44       83     127      17     10
1999-00    Pittsburgh      63        42       54      96      25     10
2000-01    Pittsburgh      81        52       69     121      19     14

Totals                    806       439      640    1079     207    110

Playoff totals            140        65       82     147     n/a     19

SEASON           SH        GW        GT     SHOTS    PCT.    PIM
1990-91           0         4         0      136     19.9     42
1991-92           0         4         0      194     16.5     34
1992-93           1         9         0      242     14.0     61
1993-94           0         6         2      298     10.7     61
1994-95           3         7         0      192     16.7     37
1995-96           1        12         1      403     15.4     96
1996-97           2         6         1      234     20.1     40
1997-98           0         8         2      262     13.4     64
1998-99           1         7         2      343     12.8     66
1999-00           0         5         1      290     14.5     50
2000-01           1        10         1      317     16.4     42

Totals            9        78        10     2911     15.1    593

Playoff totals    2        14         0      461     14.1    121