Two-year deal | Former NHL superstar goes far off Broadway to sign rich contract with new Continental Hockey League team

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An emotionally-drained Jaromir Jagr believes his decision to leave the NHL was the most difficult in his career. Yet the right one.

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AP

JAGR

"It wasn't an easy decision," the star winger told The Canadian Press in a phone interview Friday. "It was the toughest decision in my life, hockey-wise. ...

"It was a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be," he added. "No question about it. I hate making changes."

The 36-year-old Czech signed a "letter of intent" with Avangard Omsk of the Continental Hockey League around 3 a.m. ET Friday, according to his agent Pat Brisson.

While Brisson and Jagr both refused to provide contract details, it's believed the deal is for two years plus an option for a third, and will pay Jagr around US$7 million tax-free - the equivalent of around $11 million a season in the NHL.

Jagr played in Omsk during the 2004-05 NHL lockout and enjoyed his experience.

For the upstart Russian league, the signing will be a huge victory in its attempt to lure NHL stars. Whether they can attract star players before their twilight years is another matter.

And it's clear that if an NHL team had met Jagr's request in term, he might be playing in North America next season. Jagr had hoped for a three-year deal that would bridge that gap to his planned return to his native Kladno, where his father is set to open a new arena with his son playing for the local club.

"I wanted to go home in three years so I was looking for a three-year contract if I wanted to stay here," said Jagr. "But it looks like with the new CBA, it's tough for older guys to sign long-term contracts because teams are worried you're going to get injured or retire and they're stuck with the salary on the salary cap."

As Jagr pointed out, the CBA stipulates that players 35 and over have their full contracts count against the salary cap even if the player retires midway through.

"So it was too tough for any team to sign me to a three-year contract," said Jagr. "But I didn't want to do a one-year deal because I didn't want to go through the same thing again next summer. Because I really didn't enjoy this."

Pittsburgh, Edmonton and the Rangers are believed to be the three teams that had the most interest in Jagr. All of them offered one-year deals.

"I want to thank all the teams that still believed in me and still made an offer," said Jagr. "Edmonton was probably the biggest offer I got. It was a great offer, to be honest with you."

While Jagr refused to say - "I don't want to get into that-" it's believed Edmonton offered a one-year deal worth around $8 million.

"I wish them good luck and thanks to (GM) Kevin Lowe and the new owner," said Jagr. "It wasn't an easy decision."

Jagr had a chat with Glen Sather on Thursday when the Rangers GM said he could no longer wait around for No. 68.

Markus Naslund was coming in and that meant Jagr was no longer a Ranger.

"I'm thankful for the three years I had in New York," said Jagr. "They were great years. I understand that I'm older and the team decided to go in a different direction because they couldn't get the deal done.

"I will never say one bad word against the Rangers organization or Glen. They were great to me. And I'm not lying when I say that, it's really how I feel. They were always great to me."