Jagr, one of hockey's flashiest players during his 11 years in the league, was disappointed the Penguins didn't trade him during last month's NHL draft.

The Czech forward played for Stanley Cup-winning Penguins teams in 1991 and 1992. This year, he helped lead them to the Eastern Conference finals while winning a fifth NHL scoring title and his fourth in a row with 121 points. He had 52 goals and 69 assists.

At a news conference in Pittsburgh, Penguins general manager Craig Patrick said he called Jagr in the Czech Republic on Wednesday to tell him about the trade.

"He wanted to move on so he's glad at this point it's over with. It's difficult to trade someone who has been here 11 years and accomplished so much," Patrick said.

In the deal, announced by Capitals general manager George McPhee, Washington gets Jagr and defenseman Frantisek Kucera, and sends Kris Beech, Michal Sivek, Ross Lupaschuk to Pittsburgh.

"Our main objective for the upcoming season was to add offense to our club, and acquiring one of the top offensive players in the league addresses that need," McPhee said.

Before Penguins owner-star Mario Lemieux ended his retirement in late December, Jagr was well down the NHL scoring list and had a stretch with only one goal in 12 games.

At least twice, Jagr asked the Penguins to trade him, and he didn't seem particularly happy even after Lemieux returned and the Penguins made a drive for the Stanley Cup.

"It's probably time for a change," Lemieux himself has said.

Jagr's $20.7 million salary over the next two seasons limited the Penguins' options.

Before the deal, the Rangers were believed to be the front-runners for Jagr, but Patrick was unable to complete a deal.

"The is the only deal that made sense to us," Patrick said when asked why he chose Washington's offer.

The 29-year-old Jagr won the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1999, and has played in the NHL All-Star game seven times.

The 6-foot-2, 234-pounder has 439 goals and 640 assists in 806 NHL games, all with Pittsburgh. He's scored at least 27 goals in each of his 11 seasons.

Pittsburgh led the NHL with 281 goals last season, while Washington's offense ranked only 13th.