So do you like Jagr, or not?

I think Jagr’s outlook on the game, maybe it does having something to do with having Shanahan there with him, as well as Jagr’s ability to perform in NYC, has made him a much better overall player.

I think Jagr still had his moments where he pouted and looked like the baby of old, but I saw that disappear as the season went on. I saw him change his game late in February. His post game interviews, his comments about team and his acceptance of Renney and the Rangers team defense game has elevated his total game.

I think Jagr is also a player that has many years left in him.

And I don’t think Drury or Gomez are in any way anywhere near the player Jagr is or ever will be.

The Devils are playing Philly tonight in Trenton and the Isles are playing Atlanta in North Bay, ONTARIO.

They had some good crowds at a few preseason games last night:

PHX vs ANH – 16,888
FLA vs CAL – 19,289
CAR vs WAS – 18,680

I would think that is a good sign for the NHL in general. Most people don’t even care about Pre-Season.

I bet the Garden will be packed Friday night.

I think following Prucha’s first camp was pretty interesting too. I saw him allot in Europe before he came over and had really high hopes on him. Only a few month before he had beaten out Martin Havlat for a spot on the Czech WCH team.

Prucha on all accounts had a terrible first week or so in TC. Didn’t show anything in the intrasquad games. But then really picked it up in the real games.

I think its very dangerous to read into too much how some players do in practise situations like these. So many guys at the NHL level live on their hockeysense, their feel for the game and positioning. There just isn’t much room for flashy stuff—unless your name is Jagr… In a relativitly unorganized TC scrimmage none of thoose abilitys (hockey sense and forth) will stand out.

One guy I think might stand out more the real games is Lauri Korpikoski for example. He haven’t been able to add that last touch to his offensive game in the AHL, but he have been able to get involved a ton at all levels I’ve seen him so far.

I’d go for a C on Shanny, As on Straka and Avery, and let Drury take the C when Shanny retires.