Report: Devils' Jagr hoping to be traded to Eastern Conference contender

One of the NHL's most traveled veterans is hoping to find a new home prior to the March 2 trade deadline. 

The New Jersey Devils are well out of playoff contention and forward Jaromir Jagr reportedly prefers to be moved to an Eastern Conference contender, according to Darren Dreger of TSN.  

"He has stopped short of asking (general manager) Lou Lamoriello for a trade, because he like everyone else, is very respectful of Lou Lamoriello," Dreger said. "Lamoriello believes that the Devils are still in the postseason fight so Jagr does not want to bail. But they intend on revisiting the situation, probably a week down the road, to see where the Devils are at that point."

Heading into Tuesday, the Devils sit 12 points out of the second wild card and 14 points outside of third place in the Metropolitan Division with 28 games remaining. 

Jagr, who turns 43 on Sunday, has spent the last two seasons with the Devils and has registered 11 goals and 18 assists in 50 games this season. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the conclusion of the season. 

The 22-year veteran tried to downplay his interest in any trade rumors when asked on Monday. 

"I don't pay attention to the deadline. I'm a professional. I just work even harder than I did before," Jagr told Rich Chere of NJ Advance Media. "If I stay here, I stay here. If I don't, I still have to be ready. If somebody trades for me they'll expect me to be good. And if I stay here I have to be good. So I have to work harder than ever to make sure I'm good."