[Dion]

From the web archives of Calgarypuck March 26th 2002........

A vintage view of Cowperson when he was writing blogs for the forum

Rick Charlton's NHL: Long Hot Summer

NONE OF THE DOOM AND GLOOM SCENARIOS FOR Jarome Iginla's pending contract negotiation seem to bother with the basic issue of supply and demand. Those numbering Iginla's days in Calgary should consider the fact the budding Flames superstar is unlikely to be at the head of the moneyed list when bidding starts on July 1. Bill Guerin, an older Iginla clone, Teemu Selanne, Tony Amonte, a slightly bent in more ways than one Theo Fleury (probably turned loose by the Rangers) and even lesser lights like Scott Young are right wingers all likely to become UFA's after July 1. Three premium guys at the top, a middle guy and a lower tier guy who will cost rival GM's nothing but money to sign. There is also the possibility that a fellow restricted free agent, Paul Kariya, could be had in a friendlier trade scenario at a lesser cost. If you assume money is like a river, without friends or emotions, flowing the easiest course, it stands to reason rival GM's will seriously consider at least four of the above six names before stepping through the hoops needed to come up with a massive front-loaded offer that would be necessary to scoop Iginla out of Calgary. An above average offer, in fact, that would have to overcome Calgary's ability to match in Canadian dollars. Guerin is essentially more attractive than Iginla if you are looking for someone similar to the Calgary winger at a significantly lower cost than the amount needed to defeat the Flames. Amonte and Selanne offer a less physical option, also at a more reasonable cost. Young is probably in the bargain bin for any team still left while Fleury . . . . . well, who knows what's going to happen to Fleury. And Kariya would be easier to obtain than Iginla as well in terms of absolute cost, either in dollars or assets. Although there is no accounting for the fruit loop element among NHL owners, the fact the UFA market at right wing is so flush this summer - with Kariya also a possibility - means supply might well outstrip demand. And that will be good news for the Flames and their embattled fans.

"I DON'T KNOW IF I'LL EVER FORGIVE THE FANS. I spent four years here and it's sad to leave but it's a big weight off my shoulders the way the fans turned on me. Obviously the fans never forgave me for holding out. I guess you're not supposed to do that here. The booing hurt me. The rest of the guys didn't like it either. They thought I was being treated unfairly. But I was proud of the way I handled it. I never quit or gave up." - Tom Poti on his time in Edmonton.

https://web.archive.org/web/20020604...ton_032602.htm