Pittsburgh Penguins History: Jagr Claims Final Art Ross Trophy
By Rob Joncas
On this date in Pittsburgh Penguins History, Apr. 8, 2001, Jaromir Jagr clinched his fourth consecutive scoring title and fifth in seven seasons.
Jaromir Jagr capped off his final season with the Pittsburgh Penguins in spectacular fashion, by earning his fourth consecutive scoring title and fifth in seven seasons.
The streak capped off an impressive run for Pittsburgh, that saw Mario Lemieux and Jagr combine to win all but one Art Ross Trophy’s from 1991-92 to 2000-01. Wayne Gretzky spoiled the Penguins vice-like grip on the trophy with a 130 point season in 1993-94.
Total “O”
Jagr captured the scoring title by scoring 52 goals and 121 points. Joe Sakic came close to dethroning the reigning champion, finishing three points behind Jagr with 54 goals and 118 points on the season.
Pittsburgh finished with three players in the top 10 point-getters, joining Jagr was Alexei Kovalev and Martin Straka with 95 points each.
Breakdown
Jagr’s most explosive effort of the season was a 5-point game on Mar. 10, 2001, in a 6-3 win over Calgary, where Jagr scored three goals and added two assists.
During the regular season, Jagr was held off the scoresheet 19 times and put together:
- Twenty-Five: 1 point games
- Twenty-Two: 2 point games
- Nine: 3 point games
- Five: 4 point games
Jagr collected three hat-tricks during the season including his third hat trick of the season in the game vs. Calgary.
His first hat trick was in a 4-goal effort vs. New York on Oct. 14, 2000, and the second was a natural hat-trick on Dec. 16, 2000, vs. Montreal.
One Final Run
Jagr joined the Penguins just in time to bask in the glory of back-to-back Stanley Cup championships and made postseason appearances in all 11 seasons he was in Pittsburgh.
During the team’s run to the 2002 Conference Final vs. New Jersey, Jagr collected two goals and 12 points in 16 games played (GP).
Whether it was from the effects of a sprained right-shoulder, charley horse or the suffocating play of Devils players Bobby Holik and John Madden, Jagr failed to register a point in series.
A Hero’s Send-Off?
The Penguins faced some serious financial hardships and had a handful of free-agents that needed to sign. With $10 million on the books for Jagr, a salary dump was all but guaranteed.
Compounding the cash flow challenges were the purported issues, Jagr had with coach Ivan Hlinka, and team owner Lemieux, whom publically chastised the scoring champ before the team’s series vs. Buffalo.
On Jul. 11, 2001, Jagr was sent to the Washington Capitals along with Frantisek Kucera, for Kris Beech and other prospects, which concluded Jagr’s tenure in Pittsburgh.
There have been a couple of occasions where Jagr has been tied to a return to the Penguins, but nothing has come to fruition, as of yet.
It seems all that remains to bookend the future Hall-of-Fame member’s career is a return to the steel city, either for another “final’ run or to have his number retired.
What do you think of Jagr’s final season with Pittsburgh? Do you think he will ever return to Pittsburgh? Drop a comment below.