PITTSBURGH - Who doesn't love a great homecoming story?
There were a couple kicking around last week. One might have a chance, but the other is just not plausible.
There was much discussion about Jaromir Jagr returning to the Penguins.
Jagr has played in Russia for the last three seasons after leaving the New York Rangers. He recently scored a hat trick for the Czech Republic to help eliminate Team USA in the world championships.
"He's still got it for sure," USA captain Mark Stuart said. "He's hard to play against."
So would he be a nice fit for a hockey team that needs scoring wingers and help on its power play?
Maybe.
The issues are how Jagr might fit under the salary cap and how well he can withstand an 82-game season, followed by playoffs.
Surprisingly, the issue is not his attitude.
Jagr was OK with the Rangers and seems to have outgrown the petulance that was part of his make-up. He's too old to pout now, and he'd probably like the closure of finishing his career where it started in 1990.
Jagr once spoke of how much he'd learned from Joe Mullen; it says here he would get a kick out of filling that wise old veteran role on a team that belongs to Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
It's tough to play in today's NHL without speed. Penguins GM Ray Shero would have to weigh the value of Jagr's hands against the mileage in his legs.
It's at least worth considering.
Willie Parker said he would like to rejoin the Steelers.
That's not a match.
The Steelers made little effort to keep Parker when he hit free agency, believing he was never the same player after he broke his leg.
The Steelers need depth behind Rashard Mendenhall, but Parker isn't the answer.
Still Rooting
The newly re-branded Root Sports channel is obsessed with crowd shots.
They figure you want to see other fans.
It makes no sense, of course, but that's the way a lot of people in TV think.
So instead of getting just the standard cute baby or pretty girl shots, you get a look at everyone.
Root caught a middle-aged couple during Wednesday's game. The lady had her finger up her nose and was, well, rooting around.
The only saving grace was the AGH camera wasn't around to document it in super slow motion.
Mehno can be reached at johnmehnocolumn@gmail.com.
