WASHINGTON -- Jaromir Jagr, who thought he was going from
Pittsburgh to New York but wound up in Washington, is very happy
with his new home.
|  | | Capitals owner Ted Leonsis, right, introduces Jaromir Jagr to the Washington press. |
"To call a city a hockey town, you have to win," Jagr said
Tuesday on his first appearance in Washington since last week's
trade. "To be able to do that, I don't think it's going to be a
problem."
Jagr comes to Washington with two years and $20.7 million left
on his contract. He said he'd like to wait a little before
negotiating with the Capitals but does hope to talk soon.
"I'd be very excited to sign a bigger deal, longer deal," Jagr
said with a smile.
"Done," Washington majority owner Ted Leonsis said
immediately, drawing a laugh.
Jagr, who was traded to the Capitals after the New York Rangers
couldn't agree with the Penguins on a deal, tried to downplay
problems he had during his 11-year career in Pittsburgh, during
which time the team won two Stanley Cups.
He reportedly clashed with coaches and was unhappy at times last
season with owner/player Mario Lemieux before going to general
manager Craig Patrick and asking for a trade.
"I don't want to talk about it; I don't want to cry about it,"
Jagr said. "I'm in a new city now."
Jagr flew in Monday afternoon from the Czech Republic and was
greeted by a throng of fans at Dulles Airport. He met with Leonsis
and general manager George McPhee plus his new teammates and
others.
Washington coach Ron Wilson said he's still having a little
trouble believing that Jagr is on his team.
"It's like going to a toy store, and you have your parent say
that you can buy the biggest toy or any toy around," Wilson said.
"He's the best player in the league."
Defenseman Brendan Witt laughed when Jagr said he was thankful
not to have to experience any more of his bone-jarring checks. The
two have been at war for much of the playoffs in the last two
seasons, and Witt shared Jagr's sentiments.
"It's going to be exciting to have him on our team and not to
have to play against him any more," Witt said. "Now we have a big
scorer that we need."
But although Jagr's goal is to win another Stanley Cup, he knows
that playing the Penguins will be a difficult time because of his
history there.
The first meeting will be Dec. 11 in Washington, followed by
Dec. 21 in Pittsburgh.
"It's going to be strange, it's going to be something new for
me to play against (them)," Jagr said. "I want to prove to the
Penguins that they made a big mistake."
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