Jaromir Jagr, arguably the most accomplished European-trained player in history, is set to make an NHL comeback with the Philadelphia Flyers next season after a three-year absence. But the 6-foot-3, 240-pound Czech superstar, who turns 40 in February, hasn't been occupying a rocking chair during this break from North America, instead continuing to play at a high level for Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.
Few current NHL players have enjoyed as distinguished a career as Jagr. The fifth overall selection by Pittsburgh in 1990, he quickly won two Stanley Cups upon entering the league. Jagr led the league in scoring four years in a row, five times total, and joined Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux as the only players to win the Art Ross Trophy between 1981 and 2001. An eight-time All-Star, Jagr sits 12th all time in NHL goal scoring, 14th in assists and ninth in points -- only 42 behind Joe Sakic.
Jagr's last NHL season was in 2007-08 with the Rangers, when he led the team with 25 goals, 46 assists and 71 points. Can we still expect as much from him today?