NEW JERSEY VS. PITTSBURGH COLORADO VS. ST. LOUIS

Wednesday, May 16 Updated: May 17, 7:57 PM ET Jagr preparing himself for a trade Associated Press PITTSBURGH -- Jaromir Jagr, likely down to his last few games with Pittsburgh, said Wednesday he expects the Penguins to trade him after this season "because it would probably be the smart thing to do." Jagr Jagr, whose $9.4 million salary accounts for nearly one-third of the team's payroll, said it is unrealistic to expect the Penguins can afford to keep him and re-sign key free agents such as Alexei Kovalev, Robert Lang, Martin Straka and Bob Boughner. "You look at the plusses and minuses, and we've got a lot of free agents and a lot of good players who have to be signed to have a good team again," said Jagr, a five-time NHL scoring champion and one of the most popular players in franchise history. "I think it would probably be the smart thing to do (to trade him). You have a chance to sign another four to five great players. "I've got to get ready for something else (after this season)." Asked where he might land in an offseason deal, Jagr said it could be "anywhere, anywhere. I think it's realistic (to expect a trade). It's what I think, it's what I feel. " Penguins owner-player Mario Lemieux hasn't discussed Jagr's status, and Jagr said he hasn't talked to Lemieux about it. However, Lemieux has said a franchise that was in bankruptcy less than two years ago won't exceed its budgeted payroll next season, when Jagr's salary increases to more than $10 million. Because he might wind up with a team that doesn't reach the postseason -- Jagr never has missed the playoffs in his 11 NHL seasons -- he is trying to do everything to get back to the Stanley Cup finals with Pittsburgh. "We won it my first two years here, in 1991 and 1992," Jagr said before Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals Thursday night against New Jersey. "I'd like to win it in (the last year)." Jagr's determination to play for the cup again is one reason why is frustrated by a sprained right shoulder that has taken most of the power out of his strong wrist shot, forcing him to be more of a playmaker than a scorer. He hasn't scored a goal in the Penguins' last four games. "I don't know how to explain it," said Jagr, who is only 15th in playoff scoring with two goals and 10 assists in 13 games. "Right now, I have to play a different role on the team until I start scoring again. I have to try to do the little things, play along the boards, pass the puck, skate with the puck, it's different for me. It's the playoffs, and I've got to do everything to help the team. I'm not fighting for a scoring title. "We're winning right now, and I still have confidence in myself. Soon, if I get one or two (goals), I'm going to get a bunch. I still believe that." One reason that Jagr is optimistic his scoring touch will return is the pain that kept him out of two games against Buffalo has dissipated. "It feels pretty good now, I didn't take any pills (for Game 2 Tuesday), I didn't take anything," he said. "It's like the pain isn't there. The power is not there at all, but the good news is the pain isn't there." Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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