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David Staples and Bruce McCurdy review the Oilers’ muddy situation on right wing in the aftermath of Monday’s 6-2 beatdown by Carolina.

Jagr’s Czech league plans

By PETER ADLER, special to The Cult of Hockey

Jaromir Jagr is expected to skate for Kladno of the second-tier Czech league (so-called first league, as compared to Extraleague) this weekend. The team will play HC Zubr Přerov.

Pavel Patera, a former Jagr linemate in their younger years, will coach him. Jagr has been practicing with the team, Patera said, but nothing can compare to game situations. Jagr apparently said he would rather not skate on either of the two first lines, but Patera said he’s got another thing coming: he’s starting with the first line.

The club would wish Jagr to achieve his goal of breaking the record of games played in the NHL, Patera said, but still they would rather see him Kladno’s colours.

Asked by Czech journalists whether he thinks Jagr will obey his coaching instructions, Patera replied that the right winger is experienced enough not to need too much coaching. Patera said he plans to discuss a few things here and there and now and then when needed, but that, he added, would be about it.

Patera stressed that nothing is set in stone and it would suffice if Jagr appears an hour before game time to set the lines up.

A rumour had it Jagr would only play in Kladno’s home games, but Patera dismissed it as yet another example of fake news.

Jagr owns HC Kladno, known also as Rytíři Kladno (Kladno Knights).