Babcock on Jaromir Jagr: 'He's modern day Gordie Howe'
It's not too often that an NHL coach approaches an opposing player to ask for an autograph, and it's definitely rare to see that type of behavior from a veteran bench boss such as Toronto Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock. After all, Babcock has coached some of the best players in the game in his time with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Detroit Red Wings and Canadian Olympic men's hockey teams.
But there is one player in the NHL today whom Babcock gushes over like a fan: Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr. Now 43, Jagr is in the midst of his 22nd NHL season. He is a two-time Stanley Cup champion, five-time Art Ross Trophy winner and 16-time All-Star, and according to Babcock, he is right up there with some of the legends of the game.
The coach raved about Jagr in a press conference ahead of Tuesday's Leafs game against Jagr's Panthers:
"He's a modern-day Gordie Howe," Babcock told reporters. "I coached [Chris] Chelios, and I think he was 46 or 47 when I had him, and so those guys, Gordie and those two, would probably be the guys.
"You've gotta be a super-super star to keep playing that long, and then you have to look after your body, you have to love the game, and you have to be in the right situation. He has good young players around him, he obviously provides a lot with his drive and his love of the game. So, yeah, he's a star. I'd love to get his stick, actually, and get him to sign it. He is that good."
Despite his age, Jagr is not showing many signs of slowing down. He ranks second on the Panthers in scoring with 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 45 games and ranks fifth among Florida forwards in ice time with an average of 17:05 minutes per game.
But Babcock will hope that Jagr is not at his best Tuesday night, as the Panthers appear to be rolling again with wins against the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning in their last two outings after the team endured a brief four-game losing streak earlier this month.
Arielle Aronson writes about the NHL for FOX Sports. You can follow her on Twitter @aharonson28.
