Fansided

3 NHL players who surprisingly thrived after the 2005 lockout

By Kyle McKenna

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 29: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during warm ups before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on December 29, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Flyers won 4-2. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 29: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Philadelphia Flyers skates during warm ups before the game against the Pittsburgh Penguins at Consol Energy Center on December 29, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Flyers won 4-2. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 2: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during a game against the San Jose Sharks on November 2, 2006 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The Rangers won the game 3-1. (Photo by Don Smith/Getty Images)
SAN JOSE, CA – NOVEMBER 2: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the New York Rangers skates with the puck during a game against the San Jose Sharks on November 2, 2006 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. The Rangers won the game 3-1. (Photo by Don Smith/Getty Images) /

Jaromir Jagr

Fans should consider themselves lucky if they ever witnessed Jaromir Jagr play on live television or at an arena somewhere around the globe.

For starters, the Czech native’s NHL career began in 1990-91 and Jagr’s final game in the league was during the 2017-18 campaign. That’s extraordinary considering how the game evolved a number of times during No. 68’s uncanny career.

After dominating the NHL from 1990 until 2004, it seemed that Jagr’s NHL career was ending. He seemed unhappy towards the end of his playing days with the Penguins in 2001 and after receiving a lucrative contract from the Washington Capitals — Jagr didn’t appear the same for a brief period.

The one-time 60-goal scorer was eventually traded to a playoff-less bound New York Rangers squad towards the end of the 2003-04 season. Like a number of hockey greats, the thought was that Jagr would help the Rangers sell tickets and join a list of notable names that ended their respective careers with the Broadway Blueshirts while missing out the playoffs.

Jagr returned to the Rangers only to defy the odds after the 2005 lockout.

It’s still hard to believe, but Jagr owns the Rangers’ single-season goals scored and points record which was recorded immediately after the lockout in 2005-06. The hockey legend netted 54 goals and recorded 123 points in all 82 regular-season games played that season.

At the time, Jagr was 33-years-old and lead New York back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 1996-97. Jagr recording 70 points that season still would have been an overachievement and surprise.

The future Hockey Hall of Famer followed up his MVP-like season with 96 points in 2006-07 while also finding the back of the net on 30 occasions. Still, Jagr didn’t stop there.

One of the league’s most beloved players proceeded to play three seasons overseas in the KHL, and then laced up the skates for the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils, Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames.

Other than his forgettable tenure in Western Canada, he impacted all of those teams for the better after leaving New York.

Jagr’s second career after the NHL lockout is arguably the biggest surprise hockey fans have ever witnessed over the last four decades.

Next. Why NHL Players Should Not Wear No. 68. dark

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