The Flames signing 45-year-old RW Jaromir Jagr to a one-year, $1M deal this week looks like a "PR move by an ownership group that's had their bleeps kicked in for the last three weeks about this arena story," according to Sportsnet Radio's Sid Seixeiro. The Flames and the city of Calgary are in a standoff over a potential new arena for the team that would replace Scotiabank Saddledome, and the PR around the Flames and President & CEO Ken King "hasn't been good." Seixeiro: "A lot of people are of the opinion they should probably pay for that arena themselves, and I think what this does is it's a nice little pick-me-up, it's a good little story." Fans "seem happy" with Jagr's signing, though it is "hard not separating the story of the arena and this as a PR move" ("Tim & Sid," Sportsnet Radio, 10/3). In Calgary, Kristen Odland wrote there are "many questions" about what Jagr will bring to a "young Flames group that has developed largely from the core group outward." However, the fact that Flames GM Brad Treliving acquired Jagr "sent a clear message" to coach Glen Gulutzan. He said, "This team, from ownership down, is heavily invested in our group" (CALGARY HERALD, 10/3). Also in Calgary, Eric Francis wrote the Flames are "built to start winning this season, and the top criteria had to be whether Jagr can help you win now." At $1M, he is "worth taking that chance on" (CALGARY HERALD, 10/3).
RESIDENTS NOT WORRIED ABOUT ARENA: In Calgary, Reid Southwick cited a poll as saying that the Flames' arena debate with the city "barely registers as a major issue for residents" even while the topic has "dominated headlines and thrust drama" into the city's mayoral election on Oct. 16. The survey from Edmonton-based Trend Research found that 55% of the 900 Calgary residents polled "believe city hall is spending too much." The poll "suggests the arena isn’t nearly as important to voters as spending and taxes" (CALGARY HERALD, 10/2).
