Jagr, Penguins Appear Close to Agreement

Jaromir Jagr is expected to sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the next few days.

The 25-year-old wing, who played for the World team in Sunday’s All-Star game, is on the verge of signing a new contract believed to be worth $48 million over six years.

“We’re still talking, but I didn’t talk to my agent [Mike Barnett] yet,” Jagr said after practice Monday. “I think it should be done this week. At least I hope so.”

The contract is expected to be worth $5.1 million this season and next, increase to $9.5 million for the 1999-00 season and hit $10.4 million in its sixth and final season, 2003-04.

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Jailed hockey lawyer Alan Eagleson faces a disciplinary hearing today that could lead to his disbarment.

The Law Society of Upper Canada says the hearing into the conduct of the former head of the NHL Players’ Assn. is directly tied to Eagleson’s recent convictions for fraud.

The hearing will explore whether the convictions “constitute conduct unbecoming a solicitor and barrister,” society spokesman Steve Heipel said.

A previous charge of professional misconduct against Eagleson will also be dealt with at the hearing, Heipel said.

The society regulates lawyers in Ontario. Eagleson had previously agreed not to practice law in the province.

The hearing, at Toronto’s Osgoode Hall and open to the public, will be held before Eleanore Cronk, a society board member.

If Cronk finds the complaint valid, she could recommend a penalty ranging from what amounts to a slap on the wrist to disbarment.

On Jan. 7, Eagleson was convicted of three counts of fraud in relation to the sale of rink-board advertising for Canada Cup tournaments he organized in 1984, ’87 and ’91.

A day earlier, Eagleson had pleaded guilty in Boston to three counts of mail fraud regarding personal expenses from union funds and his handling of a disability insurance claim filed by a former NHL player.

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Dallas Star defenseman Richard Matvichuk will undergo a month of rehab and might need surgery on his injured left knee.

The Stars put Matvichuk, 24, on the injured reserve list because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered during the third period of a Jan. 14 game against St. Louis.

Matvichuk injured the same knee two years ago. Doctors say he’ll go through about four weeks of rehabilitation. Then they’ll evaluate the knee again to determine if it requires surgery.