Report: Russian team signs Jagr

Jul 4, 2008 - 1:47 PM MOSCOW (Ticker) -- Russian team Avangard Omsk announced on its website Friday that it has signed Jaromir Jagr.

The team did not disclose terms of the contract.

The news of Jagr's signing comes one day after New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather indicated the club could not wait any longer on a decision from the Czech star of where he would play this season. Jagr reportedly had been considering offers from Russia.

On Thursday, the Rangers made a move to replace Jagr, signing free-agent Markus Naslund.

Jagr, 36, played for Avangard during the NHL lockout in 2004-05.

A five-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer, Jagr would be the biggest name to land in the Continental Hockey League.

Last month, reports surfaced that the league was trying to lure Russian star Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins to the CHL with a one-year contract worth a reported $12.5 million per season. Malkin has since signed a five-year, $43.5 million contract to stay in Pittsburgh.

Jagr, a future Hall of Famer who has won a pair of Stanley Cups, ranks ninth on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,599 points (646 goals, 953 assists).

Last season, Jagr played in all 82 games for a third straight campaign, registering 25 goals and 71 points. It marked his fewest points since he collected 70 for Pittsburgh in 1994-95.