I'm pretty indifferent to the future of Iginla. For everything he has done, it would be tough to see him go. But also, if he does go it would kinda be a symbolic fresh start.
However, if either or both of Iginla and the Calgary Flames see a future together beyond this season, there needs to be some tough conversations about his role in the line-up.
I don't think Iginla is the problem. The guy is almost 36, we all know that. The problem is he is still treated as the make a difference franchise player of the past 10 years. He is still getting top minutes, he is still looked at to be a difference maker. If you were to publicly ask guys around the locker room whose stick they would want the puck on in crunch time, most would likely say Iginla. His stigma as an elite player is the problem.
I don't think the coaching staff could honestly tell you they are impressed with Iginla's play thus far, but he is getting the superstar treatment of more icetime to work himself out of the funk. When the funk is his birth certificate.
I don't think Iginla is this cancer that needs to be immediately excised from the Calgary Flames in order to have success. But I do think that we will be mired in mediocrity until the organization top to bottom including Iginla, accepts that his role on the ice needs to change.
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