Teams still focus on Iginla first and foremost when they game plan, especially early in the year.
That can also explain his poor start to the seasons (stats wise) as well.
The mentality is to stick on Iginla and don't give him the time and space like he tries to find in the offensive zone and "let someone else on the Flames beat us" has likely been the mantra. For the most part, its not a bad strategy. The Flames secondary scoring is right to be tested year in and year out because fans and even players on the team have no idea where its going to come from at the beginning of the year.
Until that point where other player or players step up 10-20 games in the year and put up stats and other teams have to worry about a Glencross, Tanguay, Cammalleri, Jokinen/Langkow (previous years) or now Hudler, other team won't pay that player any special extra attention.
When that player does step up and Iginla isn't the sole focus, Iginla starts to get that time and space to make plays and get better shots away, and his stats bear that out.
If Hudler can continue to put up points and a guy like Glencross can get on an extended streak, I'm guessing you start to see more from Iginla.
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