There were more comfortable locations for Jaromir Jagr’s first game back, but the Rangers decided that last night’s exhibition game at the Coliseum was the perfect place for No. 68 to face live fire for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery.
The decision to dress Jagr against the Islanders for his preseason debut might turn out to be as well thought out as having Jagr kill penalties last spring in the playoffs.
Jagr dislocated his shoulder on the penalty kill during the four-game, first-round playoff series against the Devils, and had not played in a full-contact game until last night.
Wherever Jagr plays, he operates with a target on his back, but that target isn’t as pronounced anywhere as much as it is at the Coliseum, where last night there were still several Islander players in uniform and fighting for a roster spot. You think tough guy Brandon Cullen didn’t have his crosshairs locked on Jagr?
“There was some thought given to that,” Ranger coach Tom Renney said. “But in conversations with [Jagr], he feels 100 percent comfortable to go. Jags is Jags. He has a target everywhere he plays. He’s a great player, and if you want to beat us, one of the ways to do that is eliminate him and keep him off the score sheet. It’s no great secret.” Jagr had not played in a game since making a cameo in Game 4 against the Devils on April 29, when the Rangers were swept out of the playoffs, primarily because the Blueshirts didn’t have enough depth up front to make up for his loss. Former Islander Brad Lukowich knocked Jagr out of the game in the first minute and No. 68 underwent surgery on his left, shooting shoulder May 8 after posting a team-record 54 goals and 123 points in the regular season.
Renney said Jagr’s minutes would be closely monitored last night, and that he will dress again today against the Bruins in the exhibition finale.
“If he can read some plays, handle the puck, get some shots on goal and keep up, that’s a good thing,” Renney said, adding, “We certainly won’t compromise his health by over-playing him.”
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Renney said Kevin Weekes (groin) will not play today against Boston. “I don’t see it,” Renney said.
“He’s doing much better, but we need him to go tape-totape in a couple of practices.” Michal Rozsival (knee) could return to practice “any day,” according to Renney . . . Islanders had Rick DiPietro in nets last night and the goalie was expected to go the distance for the first time in the preseason . . . Isles conclude the exhibition schedule tonight against the Devils in Bridgeport.