Quote:
Originally Posted by Erick Estrada
I can argue that Nieuwendyk, Roberts, Otto, MacInnis provided this city with it's lone Stanley Cup. The greatest team in the history of the franchise by a long shot and IMO one of the historically great teams to play in any NHL season.
Outside of 2004 all Iginla has been is the face of the team during years of mediocrity on a team that was either flat out bad or underachievers. He may be the greatest Flame based on games played with the franchise and holding all the scoring and points records but I value that 1989 Stanley Cup above anything Iginla added to the Calgary Flames.
I don't want to ruin what's supposed to be a positive thread on Iginla but I just have a problem with a lot of newer fans that didn't get to watch the team in the heyday of the franchise and don't realize how good the teams of the mid to late 80's were and how important all those players listed to the history of this organization. I appreciate what Jarome has accomplished as the face of the franchise for 17 years but outside of maybe 5 years it's been amongst some of the worst years in the history of the franchise in Calgary.
|
The 1989 Flames were a special team and can be looked at as one of the greatest teams in the history of hockey. But you know what? Those guys all ended up leaving. All of those hall of famers went on to other teams as the money came calling.
I firmly believe Jarome Iginla is the best and most important player in Flames franchise history. The overall level of success of the organization, as bad as it is, could've been significantly worse without the loyalty and contributions of Iginla. Let's not forget Iggy can't draft, develop talent, or make trades. The only thing he can control is his game on the ice, and in that regard he's done more, for far longer than anyone else to wear this jersey.
Not pointing the finger at you specifically but some of the disrespect he is getting around here sometimes is disgusting. I'm not even saying we should'nt trade him...but let's give the man the respect he deserves for what he's contributed to this team. Outside of him and Kipper, there hasn't been much else over the years we could be proud of, and that other NHL teams, players, and fans, would be envious of. If the Flames even had a shred of respect around the league in the last 15 years, you can bet a lot of it had to do with #12.