The Bouwmeester situation is very different from Iginla's.
* The Flames have the leverage here - we have no particular need to move Bouwmeester out right now, but several of the potential trade partners desperately need a player like him. Detroit and St. Louis need a minute-eating defenceman much more than Pittsburgh, Boston, or LA needed a scoring winger.
* I doubt Bouwmeester will be as particular about where he wants to go. He could happily play in St. Louis, Detroit, etc. The NTC won't be as restrictive.
* Bouwmeester doesn't have the huge sentimental association of Iginla. Whatever happens it will be a pure hockey deal, with the Flames dealing from a position of strength.
* With one year on his contract, Bouwmeester isn't a rental. He has enough potential to return to all-store form, so he could prove a long-term solution for the teams interested in him. If not, they're only on the hook for one more season. He's a flexible asset.
So from a pure hockey POV, I'm more excited about a potential Bouwmeester deal than the Iginla deal.
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