Hockey Canada says Iginla needs to start playing if he wants to make Olympic team

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

This is shaping up to be another Miracle On Ice, except instead of a team of college kids, it will be a bunch of old, slow, NHL rejects...

What miracle? Unlike 1984 when the Soviets were able to send their best players to an amateur tournament all nations have the same restrictions this time around.

[ZedMan]

Sure Russia won't be able to send their *best* players, but a lot of their *better* players are in the KHL and are eligible.

[GranteedEV]

How cool would it be if the Flames signed Iggy to an AHL 5-6 game stint, where Iginla is coached by his former junior teammate, Iggy then plays in the Olympics, wins gold and looks the best he has in a couple years, and comes in afterwards pushing Brouwer and Versteeg out of the lineup?

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Tyler

You got 2 Gold medals already and you were a pivotal force in 2002, and part of an ageless goal in 2010. You're already a legend.

Why would you then join a rag tag group of cast offs for an Olympics that will undoubtedly have an asterix beside it for some last grasp of glory (that you really don't need)?

I wouldn't do it if I were Jarome.

You do it because your country asks you for help?

I mean professional sports likes to milk the military connection to no end (which drives me crazy_ ... but why stop now.

[Hockey Fan #751]

Originally Posted by Tyler

You got 2 Gold medals already and you were a pivotal force in 2002, and part of an ageless goal in 2010. You're already a legend.

Why would you then join a rag tag group of cast offs for an Olympics that will undoubtedly have an asterix beside it for some last grasp of glory (that you really don't need)?

I wouldn't do it if I were Jarome.

A good Olympics could earn him a contract pre-NHL trade deadline for one last playoff run, though.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by ZedMan

Sure Russia won't be able to send their *best* players, but a lot of their *better* players are in the KHL and are eligible.

Are their "better" players anything special though? Once you get past names like Kovalchuk and Datsyuk, most of their players are likely on par with the NHL busts that Canada will be sending. It's not exactly the Red Army team with the KLM line.

Look at the current KHL stats: http://www.eliteprospects.com/league...cts=&order=PPG


Nigel Dawes and Linden Vey are the top 2 players in points per game in the KHL right now.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by ZedMan

Sure Russia won't be able to send their *best* players, but a lot of their *better* players are in the KHL and are eligible.

"A lot"? Are you sure about that? I see that Ilya Kovalchuk and Pavel Datsyuk are both ripping up the KHL, but beyond these two there is a whole lot of Vladimir Tkachevs and Sergei Shirokovs along with hosts of Linden Veys and Nigel Dawes'. If Russia comes into the Olympics with any sort of competitive advantage provided by the KHL, it will be exceptionally slight, and NOTHING comparable to the disparity in 1984.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Not sure you can afford to be this choosey Tom.

Did you watch Iginla play last year. I would be very concerned he is below that of the average AHL player by now when considering what he has to offer.

[Northendzone]

If iggy were to not play prior tot he Olympics, that would mean the last time he played a meaningful pro game was last april - long time to be off for a guy that generally does not get off to a blazing start, never mind the fact that guy is 40 yrs old......

to me iggy has done all he could do except win a cup.....

[CSharp]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Did you watch Iginla play last year. I would be very concerned he is below that of the average AHL player by now when considering what he has to offer.

Yup, watched him play lots on a crappy Avs team and on the LA team. Looks better than Brouwer and still shoots way better than any d-man on the Flames blueline!

Also, if you're talking slow, have you watched Jagr skate this year?

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by CSharp

Yup, watched him play lots on a crappy Avs team and on the LA team. Looks better than Brouwer and still shoots way better than any d-man on the Flames blueline!

Even Troy Brouwer is not deserved of the being worse than Iginla distinction. Brouwer is at least still willing/capable of playing a two way game.

Team Canada certainly does not need an out of shape, expired Iginla floating around all tournament. If they're going to make any noise it will be on the back of speed and determination to prove everyone wrong.

[Geeoff]

I think if Iginla wanted to play in this tournament, he would've committed to it. Most likely, he is not interested in playing in the Olympics.

Shane Doan already retired and if I had to guess, Iginla is next.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Kjesse

Under no circumstances, anywhere, let alone on a Calgary Flames fan forum, should Jarome Iginla be referred to as an "old, slow, NHL reject."

Well, he's definitely two of those, and since he doesn't currently have an NHL gig, and it seems like the last one applies too (although calling him a reject is a bit harsh).

It happens to the best of them, nothing wrong with admitting reality.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Table 5

Well, he's definitely two of those, and since he doesn't currently have an NHL gig, and it seems like the last one applies too (although calling him a reject is a bit harsh).

It happens to the best of them, nothing wrong with admitting reality.

Yep, Iginla is flat out bad now as far as NHLers are concerned. Father time is a cruel mister. It's unfortunate he didn't call it quits a year or two ago when he still had game and could have gone out on the ice instead of in sweatpants on his couch.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Been reported on HNIC that Hockey Canada is looking at a couple of junior players, but the CHL doesn't want to release players for the Olympics. Believe the CHL is wary of losing star players for both the WJC and Olympics. Reported it is something that Hockey Canada and the CHL are negotiating.

Honestly they should just make the WJC the Olympic tounrament.

Make it a U-21 tourney and I would definitely watch. Whatever this is going to be, I probably won't be tuning into to anything but highlights, if that.

[midniteowl]

Originally Posted by corporatejay

without NHL players no one will give two craps about this tournament.

Speak for yourself, I'll definitely give one crap about an Olympic Tournament

It's the last World Cup I didn't give 2 craps

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

Did you watch Iginla play last year. I would be very concerned he is below that of the average AHL player by now when considering what he has to offer.

If Iginla is a below than average AHL player, that means the current Flames 4th line is below than average AHL players.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Tyler

You got 2 Gold medals already and you were a pivotal force in 2002, and part of an ageless goal in 2010. You're already a legend.

Why would you then join a rag tag group of cast offs for an Olympics that will undoubtedly have an asterix beside it for some last grasp of glory (that you really don't need)?

I wouldn't do it if I were Jarome.

I guess the question is would you rather play beer league or play for your country, already knowing you're a legend and accomplished all you can?

[Tyler]

Originally Posted by smiggy77

I guess the question is would you rather play beer league or play for your country, already knowing you're a legend and accomplished all you can?

Beer league lets you play when you're ready and when your hip is healed. You don't have to fly across the world to BFE South Korea with a buncha nobodies for 2 weeks either. I'm sure getting ran from behind by Igor from Crapmenistan in round robin sounds really appealing to a Hall of Famer.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by Tyler

Beer league lets you play when you're ready and when your hip is healed. You don't have to fly across the world to BFE South Korea with a buncha nobodies for 2 weeks either. I'm sure getting ran from behind by Igor from Crapmenistan in round robin sounds really appealing to a Hall of Famer.

Lol fair. Also forgot it's in South Korea. No thanks haha