Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkGio
Under the Iginla tenure, the Flames never finished as bad as the following:
- 2013-14 (27th in the league)
- 2015-16 (26th in the league)
Iginla and Tanguay spent most of their careers playing with centres like Jokinen, Langkow, Stajan and Conroy. They also had four of their twilight years playing under lousy coaches, who to this day, cannot find work in the NHL (Sutter and Playfair). The country club you're thinking of did not stem from the players. If I recall, at one point 6 Sutter brothers were key personnel in the organization. If that's not country club nepotism, then I don't know what is. And where does a culture start and end? From the top. That's true of any organization.
Maybe it wasn't until Burke started firing people and trading off players did players act like they cared for their job? But let's blame it on Iginla.... right? Because the winger is the most important position in hockey to carry a team on its back  |
I am not blaming Iginla for the team sucking, but I do believe that Iginla as the Captain had responsibility for the culture that the players embodied. If you go back to the PGT of the 13/14 season when the last of the Iginla years were freshest in people's minds you will find plenty of positive sentiment how different the team played.
If there was an opportunity to have the lead by example Iginla that threw the team on his back to Victory and single handedly turned games and playoff series' around, I am all I'm. However when it comes to mentoring Young players, I'd rather have the guy that had to fight for every inch in his career.
I guess it comes down to your motivation for wanting Iginla.
1. If you think he can improve the team substantially enough from a hockey standpoint that you would be willing to give up real assets, then I challenge you to give me an example where this has worked in the last 5 years.
2. If you think he can be a mentor, then this is a case where we will disagree and with neither of us actually in the locker room and at best having some second hand information on the impact, I don't think we will convince he other.
3. If the reason for bringing him back is purely sentimental for the purpose of being a fan and cheering for the old man. I am all in, but the price needs to be in line with this.