The NHL is getting younger every year and older players are getting phased out.
Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews and Johnny Gaudreau are some of the most exciting players in the show and they are all under 25.
Not many players have careers that survive after the age of 35, let alone still be able to contribute on the score sheet.
One name comes to mind when you think of old guys getting it done and I’m sure you have an idea of who I’m talking about.
That’s right, I’m talking about the ageless wonder, the man with the mullet, number 68 Jaromir Jagr.
The man is 44 years of age (turning 45 next February) and is already considered one of the best players of all time.
Jagr currently sits at number three in overall points and by the time he retires he could end up in second (it’s almost impossible that he overtakes Gretzky at number one).
So why do most players fizzle out by the time they hit their mid-thirties but Jagr is still playing at 44?
Standing at 6’3 and 230 pounds is a big reason, the man doesn’t get pushed around and is still one of the best examples of how to protect the puck below the hash marks.
He also trains like a mad man, teammate Roberto Luongo has said that he’s seen Jagr do stuff in the gym that he had never seen before.
His work ethic and love for the game is apparent any time you watch him on the ice.
It’s hard to look back and remember when Jagr was hated by so many because of his attitude and demeanor.
Now most people have pulled a 180 and show him love for his dedication to the game, plus he seems to be a genuinely cool and funny person off the ice.
Maybe it’s the years of experience and time away from the NHL that shifted his perspective.
By the time next season ends, Jags will be 45 and the discussion will once again be whether or not he will retire.
Since the age of 40, he has put up some of the best numbers at the age or older and he has said he wants to play until he’s 50.
I don’t know if he will last another five seasons but if any man could do it, it would be Jaromir Jagr.
