Jagr pensive about season cut short

WHEN JAROMIR Jagr signed with the Flyers last summer, no one was sure what to expect this season. That includes Jagr.

But after scoring 19 goals in the regular season and becoming one of the veteran leaders in the Flyers' dressing room, the $3.3 million the team spent on the 1-year deal to bring him back into the NHL proved to be a bargain.

Now that the season is over, the 40-year-old Jagr isn't sure what 2012-13 will bring.

"I really don't know what's going to happen," said Jagr, obviously dejected after Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils that eliminated the Flyers from the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Jagr looked as if he drank from the Fountain of Youth when he rang up seven points in six games in the opening-round win over Pittsburgh. Against New Jersey, he looked as if he drank a quart of motor oil. He registered only one very quiet assist in the series, and then reflected on his season in Philadelphia.

"I have to say thanks for all the support from the fans. I love everybody on this team," said Jagr, who is an unrestricted free agent. "It was probably my most enjoyable year that I ever had. I won some Cups, won some [individual] trophies, but I loved this year. From the top of the organization, to the last player on the team; and the fans were so nice to me. I hate to finish right now. That's the worst feeling. You finish the whole story, the whole year. It's a sad day today for me. I want to cry right now."

- Ed Barkowitz