Penguins sign Jagr

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PIT
The Pittsburgh Penguins finally signed Jaromir Jagr to a new contract ending months of rumors and speculation about the flashy right wing's future.

The six-year, $48 million deal is essentially a four-year extension of his current contract, which was to end after the 1998-99 season. The deal will average $9.5 million over its last four years and make Jagr the highest-paid player in the league.

"I want to play here and I want to stay here, Jagr said. "I want to finish my career here. I am very happy here in Pittsburgh."

The deal will make Jagr Pittsburgh franchise player much like Mario Lemieux used to be. Owner Howard Baldwin said the Penguins have the intention of keeping Jagr in Pittsburgh for the rest of his career.

"We did it with Mario. We're now close to doing it with Jaromir," Baldwin said.

Jagr will be the highest paid athlete in Pittsburgh history. "I've never had that much money before. I don't know what I'm going to do. I'll give it to people who don't have any," said Jagr.

Slap shots
San Jose's C Tony Granato was suspended for two games for high-sticking Edmonton's D Dan McGillis Jan. 23... New York Rangers RW Alexei Kovalev will undergo knee surgery and likely will miss the Olympics...


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