New Jersey Devils forward Jaromir Jagr believes he has at least seven seasons left in him as although he is slated to turn 43 during the upcoming 2014-15 campaign, he isn't thinking of hanging up his skates anytime soon.
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Jagr, who has defied critics with his sharp play into his 40s, said retirement isn't quite on his mind.
"I want to play until 50, maybe more," Jagr told NorthJersey.com Thursday on the opening day of training camp.
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Jagr played in all 82 games with the Devils last season and led the team in points (67) and assists (43) while ranking second on New Jersey with 24 goals. Despite his success, Jagr expects more out of himself this season.
"I'm expecting to be a little bit better, but I'm going to have a tough 20 days before the season starts to just get where I want to be and go from there," Jagr said.
Jagr then explained the reasons why he thinks he can be more productive for the Devils this season.
"First of all, I don't have to get comfortable with the system, with the players. I know most of them," he said. "Hopefully, I stay healthy during the training camp. I didn't play one [preseason] game. I missed all of training camp last year. That would be a plus."
Jagr is signed under a one-year contract with New Jersey this season and is happy that way, though he reiterated that retirement is far from his mind.
"I don't think that way," Jagr said. "I love the game. What I want to tell you is I don't know if it's going to be the last year in the NHL. If I stay healthy, it's not going to be my last year in hockey. I want to play until 50, maybe more. But I want to play in the NHL if I'm good enough. I don't want to just be here just to be here."
Jagr had a three-year stint in the Kontinental Hockey League in Russia and since returning to the NHL in 2011-12, he's gone 59-97--156 in 200 games with the Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins and Devils.
Jagr said he still loves the game and is hoping his longevity could keep him relevant possibly to age 50 and beyond.
"...The longer you play in the NHL, the better challenge you get for yourself," he said. "You're facing the best players in the world. So if I'm good enough to play in this league, I want to do it. If I'm not, I'm going to play somewhere else. But you have to stay healthy and you have to stay motivated and you have to love the game. So that's what I do. That's what I love."
Jagr has 705 goals and 1,050 assists in 1,473 games in his career and he is tied with Steve Yzerman for sixth on the NHL's all-time points list with 1,755.
If Jagr has it his way, he'll pad those numbers well into his 50s.
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