Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
There's no question in my mind that Iginla has physically slipped this year, while he was never the fastest skater out there, when he lost all of that muscle a few years back he became an above average skater in terms of burst.
I don't see that burst anymore, and he really seems to be having trouble finding open ice.
The biggest drop in his game though is his board play. He used to be dominant, he used to be able to hold guys back with one arm, now I see him getting pinned out of the play and he's not cycling as much as he used to.
Part of it is age, maybe part of it is that he mentally might be burned out on the Flames experience and he needs a newer or even an easier challenge.
There's no doubt that this fan base isn't as in love with him as he used to be and there's a segment that is turning on him a bit.
Will he bounce out of this, I would think that he would, but I'm afraid that he won't.
This team and Iginla are eying a future that Iginla might not be the guy anymore, the question is can he live with that? I believe Iggy is a pro and he's Flame through and through and thinks that he would be willing to move to the second or third line, but he has to be sure. He also has to be sure that staying with a team that isn't close to a cup is something that he wants to do.
I almost want to see him moved to a team with a good center for him because a guy like Iggy deserves to go out in an epic manner, a roar and not a squeak.
I also believe that if the Flames trade Iggy, that one of two things will happen. He'll win a cup this year and hang up his blades with a mission accomplished sign around his neck.
Or he signs a low dollar free agent short term deal somewhere like Vancouver or Boston or Pittsburgh with the sole intent of winning a cup. either which way we won't see Iggy in a Flames jersey as an active player again.
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this is a a great post!
The other thing is it would be difficult for Iginla to accept getting bumped to the 2nd or 3rd unit permanently with the Flames as the next few seasons would go on. He would see it as a demotion where as i do not feel Iginla would see it that way on a Cup contending team.
Also a few other CP posts reffered to Iginla's value going down with the team being not that good. Not true, smart GM's don't look at that way they look at as I know if i put Iginla in my mix he will add tremendous talent and depth to my Cup seeking team not he lack of production he is having with the Flames.
GM's that are in the playoff mix know what Iginla will add to their already strong teams.
If the word gets out for real that the Flames are finally willing to deal Iginla it will be the center piece of conversation for every GM in that mix how and what can we do to get him.