After putting together one of the best seasons by an over-40 player in NHL history last year, 44-year-old Jaromir Jagr is on the board in just his third game of his 23rd season. He's not just on the board though, his first goal of the 2016-17 campaign is the 750th of his career.
Only two other players have reached that lofty milestone previously in the NHL - Wayne Gretzky and Gordie Howe.
Jagr's milestone goal came in a key moment for the Florida Panthers as they trailed the Washington Capitals 2-1 late in the second period. Jagr's young linemate, Aleksander Barkov, found the future Hall of Famer cutting in from the top of the point. With a wide-open look, Jagr snapped off a quick one-timer to beat Caps goalie Braden Holtby for a power-play marker to tie the game.
Only Gretzky and Howe have more. pic.twitter.com/Jo8Dv8ZmAL
— NHL (@NHL) October 21, 2016
The legendary forward received a warm ovation from the fans in South Florida as he celebrated this one.
Jagr is now 50 goals shy of Gordie Howe's 801 career goals. He would have probably already been past that mark if he hadn't spent three seasons in the KHL, not to mention having two lockout-shortened seasons and one canceled season. As much as we're pretty sure that Jagr is immortal and can play forever, getting to Gretzky's 894 might be juuuuust a little out of reach, and Howe's 801 is going to be tough, too.
The next milestone on Jagr's list is 1,888 points. That would give him sole possession of second place on the NHL's all-time scoring list. He is currently trailing Mark Messier for that distinction by just 17 points as his 750th goal was also his 1,870th point. There is little doubt he'll get there.
Jagr continues to impress at his advanced age and as long as he feels able, people will still be buying tickets to watch him play. He is truly one of the all-time greats and the fact that he plays at the level he is at right now at 44 years old only adds to his mythic-like legacy. There will never be another one like him.
