Gameday: Last time we see Jagr in Toronto?

Don’t look now but the Toronto Maple Leafs are set to face off against the Calgary Flames for the second time in a week, except this time it’s the Flames who are out of their element as they travel to Toronto to take on the Leafs. 

Tonight’s tilt at the Air Canada Centre also has the potential to be future Hall of Famer Jaromir’s Jagr’s final appearance in Toronto before retirement. The 45-year-old winger has made it clear that this season will be his last in an illustrious career that has produced 766 goals and 1921 points (2nd all-time) in 1728 games played. Barring an all-Canadian Stanley Cup Final between the Leafs and Flames, it’s very likely that Jagr skates off the ice in Toronto tonight for the final time. 

So, what’s his legacy in the city? It’s hard to contrive a rivalry between the big winger and the Leafs. During his heyday with the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Leafs played in the Western Conference away from the Pens. When Jagr eventually landed in The Big Apple to play with the New York Rangers in the mid-2000s, the Leafs were quickly losing relevancy and dropping in the standings. 

So, while there may be no direct line between the Leafs and Jagr, it’s still safe to say that the city of Toronto and its hockey fans have always had an appreciation for the style and flair that the mulleted one brings to the game. Toronto hockey fans know and can appreciate a good hockey player when they see one… tonight at the ACC they may get their final chance to see on of the all-time greatest in person.