Panthers top line reaching new heights with Jagr
SUNRISE, Fla. -- In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon traveled to present-day Florida in an attempt to find the fabled Fountain of Youth.
Over five hundred years later, it looks as if 43-year-old forward Jaromir Jagr may have discovered his own anti-aging remedy in the Florida waters as the veteran winger continues to impress with the Panthers.
On Thursday, it was the top-line combination of Jagr, Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau that led Florida to a crucial 4-2 victory over the visiting Winnipeg Jets at the BB&T Center.
Jagr, acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils on Feb. 26, had two assists on the night, including the secondary assist on Barkov's go-ahead goal with 3:53 remaining in regulation.
"They were outstanding," head coach Gerard Gallant said of his top line. "The line played real good. Barky shooting the puck like he can shoot it and scoring that goal, the go-ahead goal, was real big for us."
Since Jagr's arrival, Barkov, 19, and Huberdeau, 21, have clearly been the greatest beneficiaries of his nurturing presence. With Jagr on their line, the talented duo has combined to score three goals and seven points.
They always had the tools, now they're being shown how to use them.
"They look confident, Jagr has had a lot to do with that," Gallant said of Jagr's influence on Barkov and Huberdeau. "The last two months, those kids have played really well together. They took another step since Jagr got here in the trade and they feel confident and they're going out every time. I think they have a chance to score every time they go on the ice. That's what's good about those kids right now."
In their last meeting with the Jets, Florida played one of its worst games of the season in a crushing 8-2 defeat at Winnipeg. With Jagr in the lineup, however, the Panthers feel they barely resemble the team that was upended in Manitoba on Jan. 13.
"I don't even remember, it was so long ago," Huberdeau said of the loss. "We're a better team than we were there and we had a really good road trip then and were just tired. We played hard and forgot about that last one. It's a huge win and now we have to focus on the next one."
The Panthers are 4-1-0 with Jagr in the lineup this season and undefeated when he registers at least one point. And even as he plays through the twilight of his Hall of Fame-worthy career, Jagr has managed to find new life in Florida, surrounded by some of the best young players in the league in a state of hockey symbiosis.
"He might be old, but he's really so good on the ice," Huberdeau said."He tells [us] to keep it simple. He's got so many guys on him so it opens up for us. It's a big win and we go on the road for a back-to-back so it's important we show up."
As for Jagr, the Czech Republic native is selfless in his desires. His peak was hit long ago and his best days are most certainly behind him. As an individual, he can climb no higher.
His new line, however, still has plenty of room to grow.
"It's going to get better and better," said Jagr, who has a goal and five points with Florida this season. "They're different players. Huby is kind of a fast guy so he's playing differently. Me and Barky are a little bit stronger on the boards, but (Huberdeau) is a little bit quicker than us. He can beat guys with the speed and we can out power guys, it's a good combination.
"They're going to get better, they're 19 and 21 years old so you now they're going to get better. Our line's going to get better."
You can follow Jameson Olive on Twitter @JamesonCoop or email him at JamesonOlive@gmail.com.
