Jaromir Jagr makes capital with the Washington Capitals
Kelly Coleman
Pittsburgh Standard
The Pittsburgh Penguins traded star scorer Jaromir
Jagr to the Washington Capitals in early July. The Penguins have edged
the Capitals out of the Stanley Cup playoffs six out of the last seven
times the two teams have faced off in the post season. The Capitals, a
team that relies heavily on a strong defense during the playoffs,
believe that Jagr will give them the offensive push they need to make it
to the finals this season.
Ted Leonsis, the owner of the Captials, will pay
Jagr’s $20.7 million salary for the next two seasons. In exchange for
the high-priced Jagr, the Penguins picked up three young players: Kris
Beech, Michal Sivek and Ross Lupaschuck, all 20-years-old. Sivek and
Lupaschuck will be moving up from the minor leagues, and Beech has only
played in four NHL games.
Washingtonians
are calling this trade the biggest in the Capitals 27-year franchise
history, and maybe even in the history of Washington sports. Capitals
fans are already lining up to witness the revolution with season ticket
sales more than doubling after the trade announcement. Fans will also
have to dig a little deeper
