Annual Trade Iggy thread

[CaptainCrunch]

My guess in the whole trade him and he'll sign back in the off season is that he won't have an interest in coming back, he'll go on his cup hunt, there's no reason for him to come back to the Flames if they do a rebuild.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

There was an article in THN last week that stated the 2013 draft is nowhere near as deep as it has been perceived. The top 10 picks are nice but not as much beyond that. While adding a few firsts would be nice I think trading for NHL ready prospects or young players is going to speed up a potential post-Iggy re-tool

I also think the "content" talk is bs. Iggy has a strong loyalty to this organization and every year he is told by owners and management that the mandate is to win now and not rebuild. I think if the team is out of it at the deadline he will agree to move on but Iggy wants to win here and I believe he thinks it is possible

Come on man. Give Iginla some credit here. He's not an idiot. He knows what's going on in Calgary and what direction the team is heading. Things will only get more unsettled when Kipper retires. He's a proud man and would never say anything less in public than he wants to win a cup in Calgary but he knows that time has passed and he now has to decide if he truly wants to compete for a cup or if he wants to comfortably wind down his career at home. Most of Iginla's suitors will be in the Eastern Conference and that's a big move for Iginla and his family. I simply don't see him going to the highest bidder unless it's in a place he feels comfortable moving his family. It's possible Crosby and Lemieux can convince him but I don't see Iginla going to Washington, Buffalo, New Jersey or most of the Eastern teams that may show interest. The Kings would make a lot of sense but they would need to move out salary.

[neo45]

I can see Iggy getting moved to Pit for Despres and a 1st. I think he would agree to go there too, great chance at a cup and if (when) he lights it up in playoffs he might re-enter the talk about Sochi 2014, it's a travesty that experts aren't even mentioning his name in discussions.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Come on man. Give Iginla some credit here. He's not an idiot. He knows what's going on in Calgary and what direction the team is heading. Things will only get more unsettled when Kipper retires. He's a proud man and would never say anything less in public than he wants to win a cup in Calgary but he knows that time has passed and he now has to decide if he truly wants to compete for a cup or if he wants to comfortably wind down his career at home. Most of Iginla's suitors will be in the Eastern Conference and that's a big move for Iginla and his family. I simply don't see him going to the highest bidder unless it's in a place he feels comfortable moving his family. It's possible Crosby and Lemieux can convince him but I don't see Iginla going to Washington, Buffalo, New Jersey or most of the Eastern teams that may show interest. The Kings would make a lot of sense but they would need to move out salary.

I don't believe in your "content" theory, but i think you are correct that the trading list Iggy would supply won't be full of eastern teams. There will be one or two out east he would probably go to, but the other 2-3 will probably be western teams. I will get a lot of flak for this, but i could see Vancouver on the list of teams.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I don't believe in your "content" theory, but i think you are correct that the trading list Iggy would supply won't be full of eastern teams. There will be one or two out east he would probably go to, but the other 2-3 will probably be western teams. I will get a lot of flak for this, but i could see Vancouver on the list of teams.

Feaster would never trade Iginla to Vancouver, he is not that stupid.

[lazypucker]

I think it may not be up to the Flames to decide if they should trade Iginla. He may pull a Mats Sundin and refuse to get traded even if the team is out of the playoffs.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I think it may not be up to the Flames to decide if they should trade Iginla. He may pull a Mats Sundin and refuse to get traded even if the team is out of the playoffs.

He's stated multiple times that he'd waive.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Clearly you didn't properly read my post. I stated right away that I have no issue with a man wanting to spend time with his family. I don't fault Iginla at all however I believe that it's also in the best interests of the Flames to move in a different direction to change up the leadership dynamics and culture of the dressing room.

I read it quite well. You quite obviously did not understand my post. You suggested that a future hall of famer does not have the drive to win and support it with the notion that he does not represent his country in a second rate tournament. It had to do with what matters and this is what obviously was hard for you to understand. Or maybe you don't agree that it is weak and I did not really expect differently

[Flash Walken]

Jay Feaster's going to end up with a couple of cubic yards of fertiliser on his lawn if he trades Jarome.

That'd scare me off, too.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

I read it quite well. You quite obviously did not understand my post. You suggested that a future hall of famer does not have the drive to win and support it with the notion that he does not represent his country in a second rate tournament. It had to do with what matters and this is what obviously was hard for you to understand. Or maybe you don't agree that it is weak and I did not really expect differently

Nice spin but you said I faulted him for being a family man. It's clear in your post and it's clear I don't have fault with any man prioritizing family first. So you lose that argument but lets look at the other.

He doesn't play any hockey that he doesn't have to. No Worlds, never plays hockey during lockouts and I realize that a lot of players stay home during the lockout even Ryan Smyth devoted a lot of time to the World Championships as with a lot of other elite players over the years. Some players play for the love of the game and some do it as their job. There's nothing wrong with either way however as a selfish fan I prefer my captain to be a guy that lives and breathes hockey.

I stand by my opinion. You call it weak or whatever you want but it's my opinion and at least I have the balls to go against the grain in Iginla's backyard where he can do no wrong. You keep telling yourself that he's a great captain and wants to win the cup bad if that's the way you want to remember your hero. Nothing wrong with that. I expect one of us will be proven wrong come July. I'll be man enough to admit it will you because if he re-signs with the Flames it will be obvious that winning a cup is not a high priority for Iginla.

[1stLand]

Originally Posted by Stay Golden

Lets just look at the last 2 times the Flames have traded a core player.

Phaneuf, did you like who Sutter got in return? Do you think he strengthened or weakened the team?


Regehr, did you like who Feaster got in return?
Do you think Butler and Byron have improved the Flames?

Both were garbage returns for the Flames.

I like the sports romance of Iggy remaining a Flame for life, but what bothers me is does he still honestly think the Flames should pay him $7m a year and will that dirtbag Meehan demand it from the Flames.

I'm more worried that the Flames will trade Iginla for a garbage return.
They don't seem to negotiate their player assets to well. They have failed at it.
They should not trade Iginla unless they recieve a 1st round pick, a 2nd line Center and a prospect that they covet.

If a team is not willing to play ball, then ef them you don't just give him away for HC eyesores that the GM wants to cast off.

Just like TOR and BUF both did.

Maybe they were garbage returns because they were both Garbage / over rated players?
Many Flames fans on this board are notorious for over rating Flames players. Its natural.

Iginla won't net us anything spectacular in return because he is old and not a proven goal scorer anymore.
And there is no excuses for his inability to score. He plays the most forward minutes out of all the forwards and gets the most Power Play Time. There's plenty of Flames ahead of him in goals and points and they don't have a true #1 Center or a playmaker setting them up.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by lazypucker

I think it may not be up to the Flames to decide if they should trade Iginla. He may pull a Mats Sundin and refuse to get traded even if the team is out of the playoffs.

The parallels between this team and where the Leafs were a few years ago is remarkable.

IMO Flames will be the same type of team - sell outs galore, poor on ice product, no chance of a championship. Low standards and high profits.

[afc wimbledon]

Originally Posted by Husky

I think Iginla still has top value come the deadline. Yes he can still be productive but at his age...going forward his role should become less...IE a second line forward and PP specialist.

With that said I would welcome a deal where the Flames can nab a 1st round pick and a quality D prospect. I still think a team like the penguins are a suitor for Iginla. All he has to do is basically be a Brett Hull type player - get open and unleash his shot. Crosby/Malkin will do all the work and create the chances for Iginla. The penguins have enough D depth to make a deal happen.

I doubt any GM is going to give up a 1st and a decent prospect for Iginla, he is to old to be seen as anything more than a one season rental and the league has changed, picks and prospects have become too valuable.

A low first or a second at this stage, try to imagine what the Flames would give up to get Ryan Smith, would anyone think giving up a first and a decent young player would make sense.

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by 1stLand

Maybe they were garbage returns because they were both Garbage / over rated players?
Many Flames fans on this board are notorious for over rating Flames players. Its natural.

Iginla won't net us anything spectacular in return because he is old and not a proven goal scorer anymore.
And there is no excuses for his inability to score. He plays the most forward minutes out of all the forwards and gets the most Power Play Time. There's plenty of Flames ahead of him in goals and points and they don't have a true #1 Center or a playmaker setting them up.

getting off the topic of Iggy for a second to address your point re Dion:

Phaneauf is captain of the most valuable franchise in hockey. He was obtained for spare parts, heck I would classify them below that: useless bags of meat.

If you think Dion was not worth more than the Flames got for him, then you are a fool.

If everyone wants what you have because of a false impression, you get no bonus points for setting the record straight and taking less. This is sport. Like a game, each trade has a winner and a loser.

Iggy is worth what someone will trade for him. You don't know until you try, what that is. I have no idea how you test the waters without nuking the fanbase though.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by Badgers Nose

The parallels between this team and where the Leafs were a few years ago is remarkable.

IMO Flames will be the same type of team - sell outs galore, poor on ice product, no chance of a championship. Low standards and high profits.

i don't think the flames have the luxury of the bleed blue fan base that toronto has.

The dome has been a library the last few times i've been there, and it will only get worse if the team isn't infused by winning or a change in attitude. I think there will be more fans willing to go see exciting youth and top prospects that lose but hopefully show promise rather than the same substandard on-ice product year after year. Management has to realize at some point, you'd hope, that the glitter from the 2004 cup run is gone.

Selling us on kipper/iginla as the premiums players to take us back to the promised land is starting to feel a bit ridiculous considering its been almost a decade since the cup run.

[nik-]

Originally Posted by bubbsy

i don't think the flames have the luxury of the bleed blue fan base that toronto has.

The dome has been a library the last few times i've been there, and it will only get worse if the team isn't infused by winning or a change in attitude. I think there will be more fans willing to go see exciting youth and top prospects that lose but hopefully show promise rather than the same substandard on-ice product year after year. Management has to realize at some point, you'd hope, that the glitter from the 2004 cup run is gone.

Selling us on kipper/iginla as the premiums players to take us back to the promised land is starting to feel a bit ridiculous considering its been almost a decade since the cup run.

It's sad because they're obviously worried about the fanbase being soft and not supporting a rebuilding team, but by being so brazen about standing pat and seemingly ignoring what this team is (they can obviously see the deficiencies too, they're not stupid) they're creating a self fulfilling prophecy.

The thing is, I don't necessarily disagree with them that Calgary sports fans aren't the greatest and that we have too many transplants that will just jump ship back to their favourite team. However, I think it's better than they give it credit for. The fanbase could deal with the team being honest about itself.

Ultimately, if they're so worried about the Flames post Iginla, what happens when he retires in a few years anyway? If that is what they perceive is the hook for this market, they're in trouble anyway.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I believe Iggy is content. He's a family oriented man and I have zero issues with that but it's clear that winning a cup isn't a priority for him as it is playing close to home, playing 82 games and spending the offseason with his family. He never goes out of his way to play for his country outside of the olympics and while that's his right it's not exactly telling of a player that loves the sport and winning championships wether they be the Worlds or a Stanley Cup. I simply think he doesn't have the fire anymore and that's a problem when your captain is the first guy looking to bolt to his family for the offseason.

I love what Iginla has done for this franchise but I'm a Flames fan and I believe that the team needs a new captain and new locker room leadership. I would like to see Iginla traded at the deadline and sign with another team in the offseason. It's time for both parties to move in different directions.

I think you are way out to lunch on this one. Just because he's a family man and doesn't go to the world championships doesn't at all mean he doesn't want to win the Cup. Thats a ridiculous assumption.

I am willing to bet Iginla desperatley wants to win the cup, but he also genuinely wants to do everything in his power to do that here. That time may have come and gone but Calgary loves Iginla and just maybe Iginla loves Calgary too. It wouldn't be an easy decision for the guy to leave the place he spent his entire career and the organization that he has been the leader of for years. When you really stop to think about it its a massive decision for the organization and for Iginla himself if the two part ways. Its easy for us on a message board to dream up and post trades but this is the guys life, career and legacy. He's earned the opportunity to give it some careful consideration.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by nik-

It's sad because they're obviously worried about the fanbase being soft and not supporting a rebuilding team, but by being so brazen about standing pat and seemingly ignoring what this team is (they can obviously see the deficiencies too, they're not stupid) they're creating a self fulfilling prophecy.

The thing is, I don't necessarily disagree with them that Calgary sports fans aren't the greatest and that we have too many transplants that will just jump ship back to their favourite team. However, I think it's better than they give it credit for. The fanbase could deal with the team being honest about itself.

Ultimately, if they're so worried about the Flames post Iginla, what happens when he retires in a few years anyway? If that is what they perceive is the hook for this market, they're in trouble anyway.

Good post. Flames ownership is fully aware that the Iginla/Kipper chapter of the Calgary Flames is near the end. Why not capitalize off that and get some assets back while you still can to make the transition easier? It seems like the Flames ownership has taken the stand that they will close their eyes and deal with it when it happens which is simply a terrible way to run a professional sports operation.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Igottago

I think you are way out to lunch on this one. Just because he's a family man and doesn't go to the world championships doesn't at all mean he doesn't want to win the Cup. Thats a ridiculous assumption.

I am willing to bet Iginla desperatley wants to win the cup, but he also genuinely wants to do everything in his power to do that here. That time may have come and gone but Calgary loves Iginla and just maybe Iginla loves Calgary too. It wouldn't be an easy decision for the guy to leave the place he spent his entire career and the organization that he has been the leader of for years. When you really stop to think about it its a massive decision for the organization and for Iginla himself if the two part ways. Its easy for us on a message board to dream up and post trades but this is the guys life, career and legacy. He's earned the opportunity to give it some careful consideration.

I never said that he doesn't want to win the cup. I just feel that it's not priority one with Iginla at this stage of his life/career. Jarome is a classy guy and has earned the opportunity to join a cup contending team. The big question is if he's willing to uproot his family in an attempt to win the lone major trophy (the 2002 Hart trophy should be his) not in his collection? It's a tough situation for a man that has resided his entire life in one province and played for one team.

Personally I have found these last few years exhausting as Jarome winds down his career while expectations of him carrying the team remain. He has one goal in almost 1/4 of the shortened season and I simply don't think he's the go-to-guy on this team even though he's fed pucks like he is. I also don't know if I want to see him finish his career on a Flames 2nd or 3rd line. I just don't want to hear the same old interview at the end of the season when he says the same old; "we weren't good enough". His legacy after 2004 is captaining a team that was never "good enough" and unfortunately it's kind of taken the luster of what appears to be a hall of fame career. I would love to see him end his career on a high note winning the cup with Crosby and not fade away on a bad Flames team.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Come on man. Give Iginla some credit here. He's not an idiot. He knows what's going on in Calgary and what direction the team is heading. Things will only get more unsettled when Kipper retires. He's a proud man and would never say anything less in public than he wants to win a cup in Calgary but he knows that time has passed and he now has to decide if he truly wants to compete for a cup or if he wants to comfortably wind down his career at home. Most of Iginla's suitors will be in the Eastern Conference and that's a big move for Iginla and his family. I simply don't see him going to the highest bidder unless it's in a place he feels comfortable moving his family. It's possible Crosby and Lemieux can convince him but I don't see Iginla going to Washington, Buffalo, New Jersey or most of the Eastern teams that may show interest. The Kings would make a lot of sense but they would need to move out salary.

Well the thing that I think you are massivley discounting is Iggy's optimism/ He is an optimistic person for sure. He looks at a team that missed the playoffs 3 years in a row but each year they were close and each year a team that was a low seed went on a run. (Philly/Habs 2010, Tampa 2011, LA 2012). He knows that Kipper is one of the best and can steal a series. He also has Feaster/King/Edwards telling him he is the greatest Flame of alltime and they want him to retire here. He sees Feaster bring back Cammy, sign Wideman/Hudler and keep pushing to make playoffs.

I agree Iggy knows this is not an elite team but he probably thinks they are better than their record has been the past few years. He and his family are comfortable however I think if the team falls short again this year he will weight his options more closely than he had in years past.