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Jagr Traded From Capitals to Rangers

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From Associated Press

Jaromir Jagr was traded to the New York Rangers on Friday, capping more than six months of off-and-on negotiations that brought to an end a disappointing 2 1/2-year stay with the Washington Capitals.

Jagr was traded for forward Anson Carter, but most of the negotiations centered on how much of Jagr’s $11 million-per-year contract the Capitals would continue to pay as the cost-conscious NHL heads toward a possible lockout next season.

“This trade is a good one in that it moves the largest player contract in the NHL to a team that can absorb it, and it provides us with options as we seek to improve our team,” owner Ted Leonsis said.

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Leonsis told a Washington radio station that the Capitals would not have to pay any more of Jagr’s salary this season and would pay between $4 million and $4.5 million for each of the remaining four guaranteed years of the contract. The contract would not be paid during a lockout.

Leonsis said he had to move Jagr because of the “new economic reality” the league is facing with the expected lockout and the possible salary cap that could follow.

Jagr has not provided the payoff expected when the Capitals acquired him from Pittsburgh in 2001 and signed him to a seven-year, $77 million contract with an option for an eighth year. Washington failed to reach the playoffs in his first season and was eliminated in the first round by Tampa Bay last season.

Jagr, who has 16 goals and 30 assists, was chosen on Thursday to play in the All-Star game for the ninth time. He’ll represent the Rangers. Carter had 10 goals and seven assists for the Rangers.

The Rangers also acquired defenseman Jamie Pushor from the Columbus Blue Jackets for an eighth-round pick in this year’s draft.

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Atlanta Thrasher center Marc Savard, who has a sprained knee ligament, was put on injured reserve, retroactive to Jan. 15.

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