Quote:
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
Fascinating stuff.
So let me try and take another crack at how this went down
- Iginla and/or agent supply Calgary with the list – it includes both Pitt and Boston
- But player still has to sign-off on final deal when done
- Flames/Bruins agree on deal. Feaster figures its done since Boston is on the list. Both teams are confident enough that they scratch players.
- Deal is taken to Iginla camp
- Iginla camp says no. Has to be Pitt.
- Feaster now stuck. If word gets out that Iginla has picked only Pitt he’s got zero leverage. He can't call Boston to let them know because if he does the word is out that it is Pitt and Pitt alone.
- Calls Pitt and makes the best deal he can in short order
- Calls Boston and tells them Iginla picked Pitt
- Boston out of luck, Feaster’s hands forced.
Basically if I’m interpreting this all correctly – at some point Iginla’s list went from a few teams to one. Which is his right, but it certainly limited the likely return.
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That's certainly a possibility. Maybe even the most likely one.
Here's another possibility though: the plan was always to have Iginla submit a list, for the team to then negotiate the best offer it can from each team on that list, have the organization approve all of the offers it can live with, and then from that short list, allow Iginla to make his choice.
So, Flames brass meets yesterday morning, Boston and Pittsburgh offers are approved, Iginla is given this short list, and from that he picks Pittsburgh. Through the process, Feaster is keeping his cards close to his vest, not telling the teams involved that Iginla would have final say, which would ruin his bargaining position. Boston learns they've been approved by the Flames, and not understanding the internal process they think this means they've won, they happily leak these rumours. Meanwhile, Iginla takes this decision home, meets with his family, choses Pittsburgh, and lets the organization know sometime during the game.