How Jagr will make Monahan, Gaudreau, and the Flames better

When Jaromir Jagr was acquired by the Florida Panthers at the end of the 2014-15 season, he was asked to play on a line with a 19-year-old Aleksander Barkov and a 21-year-old Jonathan Huberdeau. In Calgary, he could be put in a similar situation with two talented players nearly half his age: Sean Monahan, 22, and Johnny Gaudreau, 24.

If Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan opts to put the 45-year-old Jagr alongside his two best forwards, it could pay massive dividends.

Monahan and Gaudreau have been very productive over the last three seasons, despite posting pedestrian possession numbers. Here is a look at their Corsi For percentages by season since 2014-15, according to Hockey Reference (all at five-on-five).

Though Jagr doesn't move like he used to, his ability to possess the puck still might be second-to-none in the entire NHL. He uses an exceptionally long stick, has great puck control, and is able to use his big rear end to shield off defenders. Here is a look at his Corsi For percentages since returning to the NHL in 2011-12 after a three-year stint in the KHL.

As you can see, Jagr has been a mark of consistency when it comes to puck possession, even in his old age. If he's on a line with Monahan and Gaudreau, their possession numbers should sky-rocket. More time with the puck will lead to more scoring chances.

This proved to be evident when Jagr played alongside Barkov and Huberdeau in Florida. Though Barkov and Huberdeau both missed significant time due to injury last season, the trio was very effective when they were all on the ice together.

Among lines that played at least 200 minutes together at five-on-five, Florida's trio of Jagr, Barkov, and Huberdeau ranked 13th in CF% and 24th in Goals For percentage, according to Corsica.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Oddly enough, centers Barkov and Monahan have plenty in common. They were chosen just four picks apart in the 2013 draft, both stand at 6-foot-3, shoot left, and play very similar games. Gaudreau and Huberdeau don't have as much in common, but they're both highly skilled left-handed shots with soft hands and great vision.

Even though Jagr missed all of training camp and preseason, it's conceivable that he could jump onto a line with Monahan and Gaudreau and find instant chemistry. After all, he's one of the smartest players of all time and shouldn't be difficult for any intelligent player with skill to gel with.

Yet, perhaps more importantly than any sort of offensive skill or ability Jagr possesses, it's his leadership qualities that could truly help Monahan, Gaudreau, or any other Flames player take the next step in their careers.

Jagr may not be the "stand up and give the team a pep talk" type of leader anymore, but he leads by example. When players see how Jagr trains in the gym, they'll take notice. When they see him stay late after practice, or hear about how he came to rink at 3 a.m. the night before to skate around with weights on his skates and stick, they'll understand why he's still an effective player at 45.

A 50-point season out of Jagr is still very likely, and with a base salary of $1 million, that would be a steal. The progress of Monahan, Gaudreau, and the rest of the team because of Jagr's presence will just be the cherry on top.

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