KHL's St. Petersburg pursues Jágr

Czech website denik.cz is reporting that KHL club SKA St. Petersburg has officially thrown its hat into the ring in the Jaromír Jágr sweepstakes.

"Jágr is one of the candidates to strengthen the team, said SKA general manager Alexei Kasatonov. "And the chances are always there, especially at this point, considering he hasn't signed a contract."

 The new GM has the task of improving a team that was knocked out of the playoffs in the quarterfinals this past season. His first task was to sign last year's coach of the year, Miloš Říha, as head coach. Říha is optimistic about obtaining Jágr. "I think it will happen."

Comments made by Omsk management at season's end indicated there was a better than average chance that he would not be back there next year. Jágr himself has commented that he could possibly play in the KHL, NHL, or Czech Extraliga next season. 

"I don't know if I'll play in Russia, the NHL or (in the Czech Republic)," he said last week. He did say that he wants to eventually end up in Kladno, but "it could be this year, it might be next year, it could be in two years." 

In February, Jágr's father made public comments expressing his wish for the younger Jágr to return to Kladno this year and take over his job of club president.