Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch
Iginla played a power forward style during the dead puck era and that took its toll.
He decided to to lose a bunch of weight and take up yoga in an expectation of a massive change in the game, what he couldn't forsee was the rise of the high speed big fast power forward would remain prevalent and even gain a greater role in the game. Suddenly instead of going against smaller faster players in the new NHL, he was going against bigger stronger faster players who could keep up to the play. Iginla though over the last few years saw his skating drop to sub par in the NHL levels.
He became a one dimensional sniper instead of a all around powerforward.
I would argue that his vaunted leadership skills which peaked in 2004 were non existent in 2012. To me he kind of gave up anything but his reputation as a great Captain around the Keenan years. Its not that he didn't care, its just that he couldn't make players go through the wall due to his play on the ice. He became a talker and not a do'er.
I love Iggy as a player and as a member of the community, and he'll always have a spot when you talk about great Flames, but the amazing Iginla was replaced by the meh Iginla 4 years ago and he couldn't recapture it.
In a 48 game season with all of the advantages for an older player, he was a very pale shadow of his former self and a borderline NHL'er in a lot of ways.
He either needs to re-invent his game and embrace his 3 zone responsibilities or walk away from the game without a cup and as a caricature of his old self who's biggest debate is did he take too long to leave the game?
With or without the cup the guy's in the hall of fame, now its up to his pride.
|
I'm surprised to see you write this, but I agree.