Jagr out to prove he can still be star in Dallas

Jaromir Jagr met with the media Saturday afternoon after an informal practice at the Dallas Stars' practice facility in Frisco, Texas.

The 40-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Stars this summer after spending last season with the Philadelphia Flyers. Jagr spent the past few months playing for Kladno, the team he owns in the Czech Extraliga.

Jagr is aware of the expectations the Stars have for him entering this season as a big-ticket name, and he wants to live up to those expectations.

"When I decided to sign here, I felt like they were interested and they wanted me here," Jagr told reporters. "On the other side, it's kind of extra motivation to prove the people made the right choice."

The Stars also signed 40-year-old forward Ray Whitney, who brings an impressive resume of his own with 1,003 points in 1,229 NHL games. A trade sent center Steve Ott to the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for center Derek Roy, who joins an already talented club that boasts Jamie Benn (a restricted free agent) and Loui Eriksson up front.

There won't be much time for Jagr to familiarize himself with his new teammates. He spent last season in the Eastern Conference and the previous three seasons playing overseas, so he doesn't have much of a scouting report on the Stars.

"I didn't play much against Dallas the last five years because I wasn't here, and last year we played only once," Jagr said. "But of course I know those players and they have a lot of skill. Hopefully we can do some damage this year."

With the compressed schedule, Jagr said he doesn't want to take any extra days off during the season despite his age.

"I'm an old-schooler. I like to practice a lot," Jagr said. "The more I practice, the better I feel. Of course, sometimes you need a day off; but for me, not very often. I feel a lot worse after a day off than if I don't take any."

Jagr said he doesn't feel any added pressure as a potential help to the Stars in terms of selling tickets.

"Of course, I understand that if more people come to the rink, it's better for our owner, it's better for our team," Jagr said. "But I think the most important thing that I've always believed that if you play good hockey and you're going to win, they're always going to come. They like the winners. There's no question about it."