Hossa's OT goal sends Pens to East finals Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Marian Hossa's second goal of the game,
7:10 into overtime, sent the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 3-2 victory over the New
York Rangers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Mellon Arena.
Hossa tallied the game-winner off a broken play. Sidney Crosby carried over
the Rangers' blue line and dished to Pascal Dupuis. Dupuis tried a centering
pass from the left circle, but the puck skittered off New York defenseman Dan
Girardi's skate to a trailing Hossa, who buried his one-timer from the slot.
Brendan Shanahan may or may not play next season, but if he does return his first choice would be to play with the Rangers, according to Newsday. "I definitely know that I can still be a productive player in the NHL...If I decided to play, this [New York] would be my first choice ... I just know it's not an answer that I'll have for awhile."
Our View:Shanahan is no longer the player he once was, but there is no shame in that. He still scored 23 times, including 11 times on the power-play, so he can be productive in the right role. If that means a return to NY, he would likely have to accept a reduced role.
Long-time goal fiend and future Hall of Fame inductee Jaromir Jagr remains unclear on his future in the NHL as he enters free agency at the age of 36, according to the Associated Press.
Our View:Jagr met with officials from the New York Rangers on Tuesday, their season recently ended by the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Jagr left with no certain plans for the future. "I don't have 30 teams to choose from," said Jagr. "First, I am going to talk to the Rangers. That's the number one option for me." Jagr went on to speculate on his future, stating, "I don't think I would sign longer than two years, just because of my dad. He asked me to come home in two years. He's helping build a new arena there (the Czech Republic) and he wants me to be there." Jagr would have been due, by contract incentives, an additional season that would have automatically kicked in had he either reached 84 total points on the season or been awarded a major NHL award. He finished with 71 points, thus he is now a free agent and hopes to find an opportunity to continue his already-illustrious NHL career.
NBC hockey analyst Ed Olczyk said on Sunday that Jaromir Jagr had told him he wanted to play four more seasons in the NHL, according to the NY Times. Olczyk said, "Jagr would love to stay in New York. He told me that is his first choice, but he has some family issues back home in the Czech Republic."
Our View:Jagr enjoyed another solid season as he racked up 25 goals and 46 assists over 82 games. He has plenty left in the tank, and he can still be a rock solid contributor if he remains in New York. Jagr ended the playoffs with five goals and 10 assists.
