Quote:
Originally Posted by Machiavelli
How not to play like Iginla.....with all due respect, you may want to rethink your coaching strategy.
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Yeah that's exactly what I said.
Thanks
He cheated in his own zone, he felt if he wasn't scoring then they wouldn't win, and cheated towards offence. He picked the open ice in his own zone between helping out down low and picking up his defenseman. Open ice means freedom to go when the puck turn over but it doesn't work in a modern NHL team defense structure.
When Iginla got to Pittsburgh they Bylsma took it a step further by removing his zone coverage altogether. the games I saw in the playoffs Iginla would pursue the puck carrier high in the zone and let the other two forwards play zone to cover outlets.
Iginla was a warrior and a complete player when it comes to physical play, leadership and skill, but I don't think he was ever a model citizen in his own zone.