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Jaromir Jagr: “I want to cry right now”

New Jersey Devils v Philadelphia Flyers - Game Five

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 08: Jaromir Jagr #68 of the Philadelphia Flyers pauses following a 3-1 defeat against the New Jersey Devils in Game Five of the Eastern Conference Semifinals during the 2012 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at Wells Fargo Center on May 8, 2012 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Devils defeated the Flyers 3-1 to win the series four games to one. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

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Game 5 represented extreme emotional swings for Philadelphia Flyers winger Jaromir Jagr. Before the contest, he was seen razzing fellow aging future Hall of Famer Martin Brodeur for turning 40, sporting a huge smile the whole time. After the 3-1 loss that knocked Philly out in five games, he told reporters such as Frank Seravalli that he basically wanted to cry.

“This was the most enjoyable year I’ve ever had,” Jagr said. “It’s a sad day for me. I want to cry right now.”

Jagr’s joy during the 2011-12 season and playoffs has been as obvious as all-world skills were in his prime. He raved about playing in Philly, lavishing praise on Claude Giroux and even compared to Sean Couturier to Ron Francis.

He didn’t tip his hand about coming back next season - to Philly or otherwise - but if this ends up being his last season, he certainly stopped and smelled the roses. It just didn’t end as he (and the Flyers) hoped.

Related: Re-signing Matt Carle is reportedly a bigger priority for Flyers than bringing back Jagr.