[sa226]

A couple years back Duhatchek wrote an article on the decline of Iginla and compared him to Messier. Which I think is quite accurate.

You can't compare him to Jagr. Jagr is a generational talent. He always had the size, reach and hands. Iginla has no reach and wasn't really a stickhandler. His game was strength and quickness to make space for himself and brute strength. But also, a big part of his success and struggles were in his head. He sometimes thinks to much, when he should be reacting.

Brent Sutter once said that Jarome is at his best when he is skating. My first reaction to that piece of insight was "Thanks Einstein." But it is so true. Just watch Iginla and count how many times he takes a couple strides and glides. Its frustrating to watch.

Once Messier lost that physical edge and the element of intimidation he became largely ineffective. Very similar to Iginla. To me the difference is that Messier was broken down. Iginla is still in phenomenal shape.

I think and hope Iginla takes a long look in the mirror this summer and maybe seeks out some help in reinventing himself. At 35 he isn't done. Hes been too healthy and hes too fit for that. Its silly to compare him to St. Louis, Datsyuk, Jagr etc etc. Better parallels are the likes of Messier and Shanahan. Especially Shanahan.

If I had to choose a place for Iggy to go this summer, it would be LA. That style of play suits him I think, and no one knows him better than Darryl Sutter.