Jaromir Jagr to Return to the NHL?

Could former Penguins superstar Jaromir Jagr be contemplating a return to the NHL?

Credit goes to the Pensblog for this one.

In November, the Boston Globe reported:

"Shaky times for Russia's Kontinental Hockey League, reportedly due to the steep fall in the worldwide price of oil. Russian clubs have been known to pull guys out of the lineup and not honor deals (ex-Bruin Byron Dafoe learned the hard way). If it came down to Jaromir Jagr (now of Omsk Avangard) wanting back to the metro New York area, only the Devils would have the cap room for him."

Just yesterday Eklund of HockeyBuzz.com reported that the Devils do in fact have interest in Jagr.

"Two different sources, one overseas, agree that NJ has a serious interest in Jaromir Jagr and are trying to find Jagr a way out of his Russian contract. There are several rumours that the KHL may be in deep trouble here with players across the board being asked to take serious cuts in salary midway through the season. Reports are that the Devils have been in contact with Jagr for over a month now."

It's tough to determine how much stake to put into this rumour. On one hand, it's primarily coming from Eklund, who isn't exactly the most reliable rumour source there is.

On the other hand, if it's true that KHL teams are asking their players to take pay cuts, I believe Jagr would want out. Jaromir Jagr is not the sort of guy who will take a pay cut for anyone.

Obviously, I would like to see Jagr return and finish his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. However, if Jagr is not willing to take a pay cut in Russia, I don't believe he'd take one to play in Pittsburgh.

It would be nice to see number 68 dress for the Penguins again though.