Quote:
Originally Posted by Textcritic
Doesn't the third bolded sentence nullify the first two? If the young players on this team have no special affinity for Iginla, then I would expect that they also don't suffer from any extraordinary pressure resulting from strong emotions sparked by his return.
It is not a bad point, but I remain unconvinced.
I think Iginla could be had for minimal cost, I think he can help this team, and I believe his return tomorrow would provide a fantastic narrative with no severe repercussions.
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No, the third does not nullify the first two. There is still going to be pressure to get Iginla his cup, regardless of who has played with him. That is more of a distraction than it is a motivator IMO. Instead of talking about the game the players are going to be getting fed nothing but questions about Iginla this, and Iginla that. As a player I want the discussion to be on the job my team is doing, not how we are or aren't carrying some come-lately player to a glory he couldn't find during his career. At a time you want all your players pulling in the same direction and playing for each other, I think it would not be positive to introduce that particular dynamic to the dressing room. Because there are so few players left that played with Iginla he is going to be viewed as an outsider and not a guy the players will automatically play for. I wouldn't welcome that disruption to my team. Not when I had worked all year to get everyone playing for each other.