[NEWS] Update on Iginlas contract (but it is Francis)

[kehatch]

Francis on the FAN960 now.

They are not negotiating with the Flames and haven't all season. He is awaiting for direction from Iginla. Iginla hasn't went public, including with his agent, on what his decision is.

Conjecture from Francis. This season has been a tryout for Iginla on the Flames to see where things are going. They are officially in last place, with Baertschi demoted there are no major prospects on the team, they are coming off of a series of bad games.

Francis doesn't believe the Flames have been shopping Iginla as in the twitter world it would be out there.

Says (kinda joking) that he did the Flames a favor in his column Sunday. A majority of fans have responded and the fans want Iginla to move on. Not out of malice, but so he can succeed. Doesn't think there will be fan backlash.

Doesn't think we will get a big return.

Doesn't think Feaster has had green light to make the trade. He thinks Jarome will provide the green light to give him a trade.

Big decision for Iginla (wife, mother, house, cabin) and would be easy to stay in Calgary. But thinks he wants to win and he could move on.

Walker suggesting he could move on for a year and then come back. Francis doesn't think he will return after he leaves. Team won't be able to afford him and ties would be severed. Thinks when he is gone he is gone.

Used Doan as a comparison on his cost and the offers Doan got.

Francis thinks the fan backlash will be bigger long term if they sign Iginla for 6-7 million per season then if they trade him.

Fans deserve better then 15. Walker points out that some fans have been reluctant as we want to win now. But winning now has us at 15. Walker says what I alway say, the path to the Oilers is doing what we are doing. Both believe the fans are smart enough to know that trading Iginla is the best thing for the Flames.

Walker points out Feaster's intellectual honesty quote at the deadline last season (pretty sure he is reading this post).

Francis points out that it was 10-days ago that Feaster was saying post O'Reilly that they are in it to win. Both wonder if Feaster has changed his mind.

Both think we are out and this weekend sealed it. But think tonight might be a measurement for the franchise.

Francis thinks these 4 goal loss might convince the remaining fans that we need to change. Also thinks that it might convince Edwards and the other owners they were wrong. Quotes intellectual honesty and their inability to apply.

Now speaking about Baertschi and his confidence issues. That is for another thread.

EDIT: Back on this again. Says it is the best thing if the Flames keep losing. Worried if they win tonight and go on a short streak that it will confuse management and fans and the necessary changes won't happen. Points out they keep going on streaks to get them to a 500 club that keeps them from making changes.

[kehatch]

Re above and my point that Iginla is holding the team ransom. Remember, this goes beyond Iginla. They Flames decision to be buyers versus sellers, their decision on other players to trade, etc will be influenced by Iginla's decision. We need time to make the necessary changes regardless of the direction we take.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by neo45

It is completely within the rules to negotiate an agreement with him, trade him at the deadline, and then put the verbal agreement on paper and sign it July 1st, right? I don't see how it could be tampering when he is the Flames player until they trade him

From what I have come to expect from this management, the scenario seems almost too good to be true. Definitely win for the team and a win for Iginla fans if it happens

It's allowed, but there's nothing binding. I think once Iginla is gone, he's gone for good. I don't think he moves to a competitive team for 2 months and then decides he wants to come back here.

[neo45]

Thanks for the recap! Definitely too much "Francis thinks" but still thanks for updating us

[Dr. Doom]

Is it just me or is everyone in the Flames organization just dancing around the pink elephant in the room then? I really don't understand how a major situation with your franchise player is just avoided. Don't know whether to laugh or cry?

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by neo45

Thanks for the recap! Definitely too much "Francis thinks" but still thanks for updating us

Agreed. But the information from his agent is pretty telling.

[devo22]

Francis just said every Flames fan should cheer for losses between now and the deadline, since that could be necessary to convince management and ownership that the team is actually that bad and they have to blow it up. Says it wouldn't surprise him though if they win tonight, go on a streak and confuse everybody again.

EDIT: I see kehatch has already editted that in.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by neo45

It is completely within the rules to negotiate an agreement with him, trade him at the deadline, and then put the verbal agreement on paper and sign it July 1st, right? I don't see how it could be tampering when he is the Flames player until they trade him

From what I have come to expect from this management, the scenario seems almost too good to be true. Definitely win for the team and a win for Iginla fans if it happens

This would make Feaster, the Flames and Iginla the NHL equivalent of "Crazy Ken's House of Used Cars', the level of distrust for any deal out of Calgary afterwards would be immense and do more damage to the team than would be the positives of Iginla coming back.

Not the kind of behaviour you would teach your kid to engage in.

[gargamel]

If we trade Iginla, we're not getting him back. To hope otherwise is the sports equivalent of when couples say they're going "on a break" because they can't admit to themselves that it's the end. Once Iginla walks out that door and starts seeing other people, it's over.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by kehatch

Doesn't think we will get a big return.

I think Francis is right about that. All these trade proposals that people are throwing out there where we get a top 6 player, a tier one prospect and 1st round pick are pie in the sky.

At this point, Iginla is just a top 6 player himself and doesn't carry a team anymore like he used to. He'll get the points, but he doesn't have the superstar abilities anymore, so you can pretty much scratch off getting back a current top 6 player for him. No contending team will make a lateral move like that.

We also aren't going to be getting a team's best prospect back. If the cap age has taught teams anything, it's that you need those prospects coming in and playing above their entry level deals in order to be competetive. Most of the examples people cite of 35+ year old UFA pending players are from before the cap era. In order to make such a deal worth it, the contending team would have to be on their last legs. Looking at the teams that are contending right now, I don't see any that fit that bill.

And let's face it, the late 1st we get would only have about a 50/50 chance of becoming an NHL player, and a much smaller chance of being an impact player... especially when you consider that the draft beyond the top 10 this year is apparently very weak. The pick might not be much more useful than a 2nd rounder in most years.

I think most people agree that the worst thing that could happen would be Iginla walking away for nothing, but trading him for what may very likely end up being nothing isn't much better. I'd rather just re-sign him if that's the case, that is unless some team loses their marbles and agrees to seriously overpay.

[kehatch]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think Francis is right about that. All these trade proposals that people are throwing out there where we get a top 6 player, a tier one prospect and 1st round pick are pie in the sky.

At this point, Iginla is just a top 6 player himself and doesn't carry a team anymore like he used to. He'll get the points, but he doesn't have the superstar abilities anymore, so you can pretty much scratch off getting back a current top 6 player for him. No contending team will make a lateral move like that.

We also aren't going to be getting a team's best prospect back. If the cap age has taught teams anything, it's that you need those prospects coming in and playing above their entry level deals in order to be competetive. Most of the examples people cite of 35+ year old UFA pending players are from before the cap era. In order to make such a deal worth it, the contending team would have to be on their last legs. Looking at the teams that are contending right now, I don't see any that fit that bill.

And let's face it, the late 1st we get would only have about a 50/50 chance of becoming an NHL player, and a much smaller chance of being an impact player... especially when you consider that the draft beyond the top 10 this year is apparently very weak. The pick might not be much more useful than a 2nd rounder in most years.

I think most people agree that the worst thing that could happen would be Iginla walking away for nothing, but trading him for what may very likely end up being nothing isn't much better. I'd rather just re-sign him if that's the case, that is unless some team loses their marbles and agrees to seriously overpay.

I am not sure I agree. For the simple reason that this is a sellers market. I seriously doubt the Ducks trade Perry. Iginla may be the only legitimate top 6 forward available.

Pittsburgh, for example, has nearly half a dozen high end defensive prospects. Giving up Morrow/Pouliot and a 1st for Iginla doesn't hurt them at all today and probably doesn't hurt them much in the future.

In return they get Iginla to play with Crosby. Plus, they keep Iginla out of Boston's hands.

If the Flames can find two contending teams that Iginla would go to (i.e. Boston + Pittsburgh) to bid for him I don't think getting a high end prospect and a first is outside the realm of reason.

Now I guess it depends on what fans are hoping for. I would be fine with Morrow and a 1st. Some are expecting much more and will be disappointed.

[kyuss275]

Agree with almost everything that Francis said on the fan.

I have been saying that if Iggy stays the least he will sign for is what Doan got.

Fully agree with the long term backlash if Iggy signs for $6-7 million. Some posters on this site seem fine with it, but i don't think they have really thought about the future in 3-4 years on a deal like that.

No surprise that Feaster has no "green light". I doubt ownership would even let him talk to Iggy about exploring a trade.

[Muta]

Elliot Freidman was just on. Good segment, kinda rehashing what was said on Saturday night.... he did mention again that we should NOT expect a rebuild, more of a re-tool.

The sky is blue, I think.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think Francis is right about that. All these trade proposals that people are throwing out there where we get a top 6 player, a tier one prospect and 1st round pick are pie in the sky.

I think most people agree that the worst thing that could happen would be Iginla walking away for nothing, but trading him for what may very likely end up being nothing isn't much better. I'd rather just re-sign him if that's the case, that is unless some team loses their marbles and agrees to seriously overpay.

The time to trade Iginla for a superstar-type deal has definitely passed, so I wouldn't expect any top 5 picks and franchise prospects coming our way. However I do think we can still get a good deal, and it sure beats getting absolutely nothing. There are no guarantees the return will be good, but hey, that's always the case with every trade. I'd be satisfied to get a Fleury-type return, where in the end we end up with a core D-man for a decade like we did with Regehr.

In some ways though, I think the "return" is only half the benefit. The other benefit is we can turn the page from the Iginla era and move on psychologically. This team desperately needs to start looking towards the future, and it's hard to do when the past is still lingering around making you second guess, no matter if he's one of the best Flames of all time.

[Muta]

If Domenic Moore and Paul Gaustad can get 2nd and 1st round picks, respectively... Iginla can get that too. He's five times the player either of those guys are. Make no mistake - any team that lands Iginla is seriously improving their playoff chances.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

I think Francis is right about that. All these trade proposals that people are throwing out there where we get a top 6 player, a tier one prospect and 1st round pick are pie in the sky.

At this point, Iginla is just a top 6 player himself and doesn't carry a team anymore like he used to. He'll get the points, but he doesn't have the superstar abilities anymore, so you can pretty much scratch off getting back a current top 6 player for him. No contending team will make a lateral move like that.

We also aren't going to be getting a team's best prospect back. If the cap age has taught teams anything, it's that you need those prospects coming in and playing above their entry level deals in order to be competetive. Most of the examples people cite of 35+ year old UFA pending players are from before the cap era. In order to make such a deal worth it, the contending team would have to be on their last legs. Looking at the teams that are contending right now, I don't see any that fit that bill.

And let's face it, the late 1st we get would only have about a 50/50 chance of becoming an NHL player, and a much smaller chance of being an impact player... especially when you consider that the draft beyond the top 10 this year is apparently very weak. The pick might not be much more useful than a 2nd rounder in most years.

I think most people agree that the worst thing that could happen would be Iginla walking away for nothing, but trading him for what may very likely end up being nothing isn't much better. I'd rather just re-sign him if that's the case, that is unless some team loses their marbles and agrees to seriously overpay.

I don't think some on CP get that "just re-sign him if that's the case" is not really a posibility. If Iggy is traded its because Iggy has said he wants to go. This is not up to ownership or management. If the offers are not good enough and the flames don't trade him, then he leaves for nothing at the end of the year. If Iggy say's he wants to be traded then the flames have to take the best offer out there no matter how bad. Hopefully Iggy's trade list is long, i have a feeling it won't be though.

[Nasty]

i wonder what our chances are to trade iginla to a bottom 5 team like florida or washington to get their first?

[PlayfulGenius]

An excited, motivated Iginla on an already deep team would be scary, for sure...there are teams that will pay handsomely for him, for sure... The days of a Schenn, Simmonds, Bernier package are gone, but like you say, he'll get double what Gaustad did, for example.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by nasty

i wonder what our chances are to trade iginla to a bottom 5 team like florida or washington to get their first?

0%

[The Yen Man]

Originally Posted by Table 5

In some ways though, I think the "return" is only half the benefit. The other benefit is we can turn the page from the Iginla era and move on psychologically. This team desperately needs to start looking towards the future, and it's hard to do when the past is still lingering around making you second guess, no matter if he's one of the best Flames of all time.

I agree with this. If Iggy wasn't on the team, Flames probably would have been sellers the past couple of seasons come trade deadline, and would have at least amassed a few more picks / prospects. That's probably what I'm looking forward to if a trade happens. Besides, it'll be nice to have a more vested interest in the playoffs if Iggy goes to a contender other than cheering against Vancouver (and probably the Leafs & Habs this season).