No plans to Czech out as legend Jagr skates into his 50s

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After completing his 33rd season in the pro ranks last week, 49-year-old Jaromir Jagr said he's not planning to hang up his skates just yet.

"I believe I still have it in me," Jagr told NHL.com from the Czech Republic. "It is all about working hard and putting in more effort. I have to practice harder and avoid gaining weight.

"You know, I was used to scoring a goal when I wanted to score one. I have been working hard since I was very young to be able to do that. But suddenly I feel it is not possible anymore."

Jagr had two goals and 12 points in 19 regular-season games, then added three goals and 10 points in 16 playoff contests to help the team he owns－the Kladno Knights－earn promotion to the Czech Extraliga by defeating Dukla Jihlava in Game 7 of the Chance Liga final.

"The main reason I am still playing is my responsibility to the club," Jagr said. "If I did not have any, I would not be flying around on the ice here. I expect much more from myself ... but I am aware that when I leave, many (business) partners will leave the team too. That's why I have no choice."

Jagr, who last skated in the NHL for the Calgary Flames in the 2017-18 season, is one of the league's top offensive stars of all time. He currently ranks second to Wayne Gretzky in career points (1,921), third in goals (766, behind Gretzky and Gordie Howe), fourth in games played (1,733) and fifth in assists (1,155).

A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Pittsburgh Penguins (1992,1993), Jagr won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's MVP in 1998-99 and led the league in scoring five times.

He said he's planning to return next season, but will reassess his situation after Kladno hosts a sold-out outdoor game in December that was postponed earlier this year because of the pandemic.

"I cannot quit yet... but honestly, I know I have to be much better. I want to get better to help my team. What I know for sure is that I will do anything possible to help my club," he said.

Meanwhile, Hall of Fame goaltender Patrick Roy says he is ready and open to a return to the NHL coaching ranks.

That message was conveyed by Roy's agent, Neil Glasberg, when Glasberg fired off a tweet destined to pop up in the feeds of NHL owners and managers last week.

The 55-year-old Roy, a four-time Stanley Cup champion, is currently the owner, general manager and head coach of the Quebec Remparts' junior team.

He was hired as head coach and vice-president of hockey ops for the Colorado Avalanche in 2013 and won the 2014 Jack Adams Award as NHL coach of the year.

Citing a lack of input in personnel decisions, Roy stepped down from his role with the Avs in 2016 and returned to junior hockey.

Several teams－including the Arizona Coyotes, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens, Detroit Red Wings and Vancouver Canucks－do not have a coach under contract for 2021-22.

"Patrick could be a president of hockey ops. He could be a GM. He could be a co-GM. He could be a head coach," Glasberg told Canadian Press. "It's going to be situational."

Nicknamed "Saint Patrick" for his stellar play, Roy split his on-ice career between the Canadiens (11 years) and the Avalanche (eight years). He is second on the all-time wins list for goaltenders (551), and is the only player in NHL history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy (MVP in the Stanley Cup playoffs) three times.