Prior to the lockout, at the age of, I believe 40, Steve Yzerman tabulated 18 goals and 33 assists. After the lockout, Steve Yzerman, to ensure the Red Wings could ice a (very) competitive team, took a 4.6 million dollar pay cut and signed a contract worth 1.25 million.
At the time, it was clear that the focus needed to be on the next generation of Red Wing Players...being Pavel and Henrik.
Could Yzerman have gotten more on the free agent market? You bet. That contract, in my opinion, showed what a true leader Yzerman was.
Teams make the shift from one player era to the next in one of two ways: either like Detroit did by the "star" stepping aside and allowing the natural progression to happen, or like (I hate to say it) Vancouver did when they rid themselves of Bertuzzi and Naslund, once it was clear the Sedin's were ready to take the next step.
On the other hand, you could continue to build around your aging star player. But, history indicates that doesn't work so well (see Sundin and the Maple Leafs).
It's been clear to most that Iginla's best years are probably behind him. But what type of contract will Iginla want? One that ensures he'll be the highest paid Flame player for several years to come, or one that allows the Flames some flexibility IF the new crop of players (Sven and Brodie, particularly) excel and get the big second contract that now seems to be the status quo for even the slightly above average NHL player.
I'm certainly not pretending or alluding that Iginla should take a 1.25 million dollar contract like Yzerman did. That would be asinine. But, I do think it wold be in his (yes, his) best interest to negotiate a modest contract (say 4.5 mil over the next 3 years) to ensure the Flames can ice a competitive product while he remains a Flame.
He's 35 years old, and while he put up solid numbers last season, with age, it's remarkable how quickly the stats will fall...it's inevitable.
|