Jaromir Jagr frustrated with ice time, future with Devils

Fun fact: The New Jersey Devils, with victories in their next two games, will pull within four points of the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.

According to Sports Club Stats, there’s a one-percent chance the Devils actually make the playoffs. But to quote the great Lloyd Christmas: “So you're telling me there's a chance?”

None of this excites 43-year-old Jaromir Jagr, unfortunately. He hasn’t scored a point in seven games. His ice time dipped under 13 minutes in each of the last two games, and is down dramatically from when Pete DeBoer was the head coach earlier this season, rather than the current three-headed monster of Lou Lamoriello, Adam Oates and Scott Stevens.

He’s not happy, and he let Tom Gulitti of the Bergen Record know it on Wednesday:

Jaromir Jagr said that he expects to play even less if he is not traded and Devils are not in playoff contention. Jagr said he knew his ice time would go down after the coaching change. Jagr said he does not know if he will still be here after trade deadline.

"If I stay here and we're not going to have a chance to playoffs, I don't think I'm going to play at all. And I still like to play."

"I love this team, but if it's going to be after the trading deadline & we're going to be (out of contention), it's going to get worse”

"You're probably going to play guys who've got a contract next year or young guys. It's understandable, don't you think?"

Jagr said, rather cryptically, that “I knew it was going to happen. I knew it. There is a history, so I knew it.” Adam Oates runs the forwards. Curious.

Jagr’s angling for a trade. There’s going to be a market for him, especially for teams seeking power play help.

However, GM/Coach Lou Lamoriello believes the Devils can still be a playoff team. Which is insane and counterproductive, but hey, it’s his ship.

One assumes he’ll do Jagr a solid and trade him if asked. Besides, it’s never good to have a sullen Jagr in the room. Ask Washington.

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