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Apparently Tyler Kennedy prevented Jagr’s return to Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh Penguins v Philadelphia Flyers

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 08: Tyler Kennedy #48 of the Pittsburgh Penguins checks Matt Carle #25 of the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period of an NHL hockey game at Wells Fargo Center on December 8, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images)

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Jaromir Jagr’s first trip to Pittsburgh as a member of the Flyers is turning into a history lesson.

While Jagr bristled about the icy reception he’ll likely get tonight, he discussed more openly how his failed negotiations with the Penguins went this summer. If there are any Pens fans upset that Jagr spurned Pittsburgh for Philadelphia, they’ll be happy to know that it’s apparently all Tyler Kennedy’s fault. Dave Isaac of Philly Sports Daily has the details.

“When the GM tells you we have to sign [Tyler] Kennedy first and Kennedy is playing the third or fourth line … Just go and look for [the] GM a month before I was a free agent, and it’s going to tell you a lot. It’ll tell you if they wanted me or not.”

If it sounds like a funky brand of sour grapes, it really isn’t. Think back to this summer when Pens GM Ray Shero made it clear that their interest in Jagr was minimal until they gave into the attention Jagr’s return generated and made him an offer he could easily refuse.

Of course, Jagr also said Shero told him that he wouldn’t be playing on a line with Sidney Crosby, so you can see why the Pens offer wasn’t all that thrilling. That’s not going to help quiet the fans down tonight. Seeing Jagr on the ice at the same time as Kennedy might get a little awkward.