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

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by browna

Staying here isn't being "ok with losing".

I just don't think he's wired for that type of requirement of a Stanley Cup, by any means possible, to validate his career.

He's talked about the respect he had for Sakic and Yzerman staying with the same team thier whole career, I assume Doan will be part of that conversation too. Sure, it helps that Yzerman and Sakic both won multiple cups, but Yzerman wasn't far from being a Senator in the mid 90's, and Sakic did sign an offer sheet with the Rags, but both never came to fruiation, just like Iginla to Buffalo for Peca never happened either in 2001-ish. And Iginla got as razor thin close as you could for getting his Cup.

Plus, there's no guarantee that he wins a cup if he goes anywhere else anyways, and I think that is as big of a deterrent for him then anything; him having seen this happen before with other players, going through the drama of leaving your only NHL team, all for not getting that Cup, and having not only having disappointment for your rented team not winning, but the fact that you went through all the hoops of leaving your old city, which you really didn't want to, for nothing. Even winning a Cup (although in playoffs wars, you become part of a close knit team for those 2 months), its not "your" team which cheapens the experience is some way, or can for some.

Just my opinion, and I can see why he'd want to leave given the state of the franchise right now. The possibility of trading him now to get some pieces, sign back here in the summer (ala Doug Weight was planning to do all along when he got moved at the deadline) also exists, but not sure if he wants to put the Flames or the other organization through that charade if his heart really is here.

I really don't think, IMO, he's hell bent on getting a Stanley Cup somehow some way if it means moving to a new city and playing as a hired rental player for 3 months.

Completely agree. But there is a huge difference between not being "ok with losing" and being driven and motivated to win a Stanley Cup. I'm sure Iggy still, hates to lose and it bugs him when we do. But staying here means that winning a Stanley Cup is no longer #1 on his professional priority list, which is what I think you are saying.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Iggy no longer feeling it's #1 on his list in things he needs his hockey career to provide him with, in fact, it's likely a logical and mature response. He's in his mid 30's now, accomplished a lot and honestly good for him given he's probably got a lot of things going on that are more important, like keeping his family happy. Those sounds like the right priorities.

But from a Flames org point of view, it's a problem because the organization (and that's their fault) don't have any other players in the wings that are ready or able to take over leadership of this team (and don't necissarily mean formally with the C). If you are going to succeed, you need players, usually younger ones, who's top priority in life is winning that cup. And these players need to be the key impact players in your line up, who are motivated by nothing other than winning the ultimate prize. Which is what one of the Flames biggest issues is, all our best players likely aren't as motivated as the guys the face across the ice each and every night cause they are later on in their career.

Re-signing Iggy to be "forever a Flame" wouldn't be such a huge issue if there were others in the wings waiting to be the go to guys for this team, Iggy could be a very effective playe even at #3 on the forward depth chart. But right now, a choice by him and the organization to bring him back is a choice to continue with him being the #1 guy for the next few years, and if winning a Stanley Cup is no longer a must for him, then the organization will not succeed with him in that spot.

[malcolmk14]

Good article by Francis.

Flames and Iginla both have a big decision coming up in the next 3 weeks.

[Erick Estrada]

I lost respect for Sundin sticking with a loser team and not waiving his NTC and if the same thing happens in Calgary I will lose respect for Iginla. I realize like Sundin he earned that right but IMO it's cowardly and the sign of a player that just doesn't care about the ultimate goal. Be a man, get out of your comfort zone and go for the cup. The guy has the rest of his life to spend with his family and will dearly regret rotting his career away with a bad team and never getting another shot at the cup despite the option being there to leave and pursue it.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I lost respect for Sundin sticking with a loser team and not waiving his NTC and if the same thing happens in Calgary I will lose respect for Iginla. I realize like Sundin he earned that right but IMO it's cowardly and the sign of a player that just doesn't care about the ultimate goal. Be a man, get out of your comfort zone and go for the cup. The guy has the rest of his life to spend with his family and will dearly regret rotting his career away with a bad team and never getting another shot at the cup despite the option being there to leave and pursue it.

Its never "cowardly" to put family first....ever.

In fact its the ultimate sacrifice.

Strange comment.

[Tinordi]

I believe Iginla is a significant part of the problem with this team and that we won't be able to start building a contender until he's gone. Time to take our medicine and let him walk.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Its never "cowardly" to put family first....ever.

In fact its the ultimate sacrifice.

Strange comment.

Family first? I have a family do you have a wife and kids? I like many regular people have made real sacrifices for my family and it's laughable that you would bring this up. We aren't talking about Iginla moving out of North America. We are talking about a few months to attain the main goal of his professional career. The man has the entire 2nd half of his life to spend 360 days a year with his family and the worst thing you can ever do is have regret which is what he will have if he goes out quietly with a losing team. Man I can't believe some of the crap some of you come up with. It's not putting family first. It's not wanting to win the ultimate prize.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Its never "cowardly" to put family first....ever.

In fact its the ultimate sacrifice.

Strange comment.

As someone who moved across this country three times when my mother was transferred from her 65k a year job, the guy with 80 million in career earnings can get a condo in Boston for 4 months and suck it up.

[nik-]

Look, the only side that is being "cowardly" here is management. They're the ones that are supposed to be taking stock of the situation and making decisions to move the team in a positive direction. They're the ones who have publicly on multiple occasions stated that the only way Iginla leaves is if he asks. They've placed the onus on Iginla for this whole decision in some pre-emptive groundwork to be able to deflect if a trade ever happens. "See, we didn't want to trade him he wanted to leave"

So now, Iginla who is aware of his legacy has the feeling that this will go over incredibly poorly. In reality, I think most people would understand if he asked out. I personally would totally accept if he just walked as a UFA this summer. I wouldn't be happy, but it would completely make sense. He's put in more than his fair share on this team. We're going nowhere, he's running out of time. It's ridiculous this position we're in.

[BigFlameDog]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I lost respect for Sundin sticking with a loser team and not waiving his NTC and if the same thing happens in Calgary I will lose respect for Iginla. I realize like Sundin he earned that right but IMO it's cowardly and the sign of a player that just doesn't care about the ultimate goal. Be a man, get out of your comfort zone and go for the cup. The guy has the rest of his life to spend with his family and will dearly regret rotting his career away with a bad team and never getting another shot at the cup despite the option being there to leave and pursue it.

You the man Erick....sometimes I agree with you, 90% of the time like reading your opinions even when I don't agree...the other 10% is this crap.

and yeah, I get that you don't care. Terrible post...cowardly, that's rich.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Family first? I have a family do you have a wife and kids? I like many regular people have made real sacrifices for my family and it's laughable that you would bring this up. We aren't talking about Iginla moving out of North America. We are talking about a few months to attain the main goal of his professional career. The man has the entire 2nd half of his life to spend 360 days a year with his family and the worst thing you can ever do is have regret which is what he will have if he goes out quietly with a losing team. Man I can't believe some of the crap some of you come up with.

Thats your opinion.

How anyone could ever categorize anyone for wanting to put family first as cowardly is mind boggling to me though.

You, nor I, have any idea what dynamics are at work in his personal life nor should we. If the guy uses his earned right to stay with the club because other things are more important than going elsewhere, (where he isn't guarenteed to win a SC BTW) then I applaud him.

The lack of respect you are giving him in this is brutal....but not surprising.

And talk about spouting off crap. Good grief.

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Oh geeze! Both decisions take courage. What takes courage is admiting you can likely no longer have "everything" and then making a choice. In Iggy's situation, what will take courage is realizing that he likely can't have the ideal scenario of "Winning a cup and doing so in Calgary where he can keep his home life settled", and then picking which one of those two things he's going to sacrifice. The cup, or family for the next few years.

Regardless of what he picks, as long as he ends up accepting that fate, not running around trying to persue the perfect solution because he admits it's not possible and picks one or the other, an equal ammount of courage is required, and it's not for us to judge which one he chooses. A choice either way requires balls.

[T@T]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

I believe Iginla is a significant part of the problem with this team and that we won't be able to start building a contender until he's gone. Time to take our medicine and let him walk.

Please explain

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

As someone who moved across this country three times when my mother was transferred from her 65k a year job, the guy with 80 million in career earnings can get a condo in Boston for 4 months and suck it up.

First world issues when you hear people claim that spending a few months away from his family making millions of dollars furthering himself to the top of his career is some sort of sacrifice.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Thats your opinion.

How anyone could ever categorize anyone for wanting to put family first as cowardly is mind boggling to me though.

You, nor I, have any idea what dynamics are at work in his personal life nor should we. If the guy uses his earned right to stay with the club because other things are more important than going elsewhere, (where he isn't guarenteed to win a SC BTW) then I applaud him.

The lack of respect you are giving him in this is brutal....but not surprising.

And talk about spouting off crap. Good grief.

I know first hand because I was in fact that coward. I was once offered a career job of a lifetime but I being young and whipped didn't want to leave my girlfriend and the city to put in the time. I've still done well but I realize what could have been and that me being too comfortable and cowardly got in the way of what would have been greater career success. If Iginla stays in Calgary he's being like I was. A coward and he will regret it like me. It's inevitable when post retirement he looks at his trophy case and laments the one missing trophy.

[Table 5]

His family might be his priority, but his family should not be the Flames priority. Want to stay in Calgary and be the family man and cruise the rest of your career? Sure, sounds good to me...but you can forget your franchise player contract. Here's your $2 million dollar a year offer....we'll use the rest on someone who still gives a crap.

[Iggy Snipe]

Originally Posted by edn88

I don't want to see Iginla go, but I am getting used to the thought of him being a penguin.

Currently #12 is not in use by a current Penguin.

He would take it over anyone if he insisted anyways, but if a player had his number they would most likely volunteer to give him it.

There is no way he would not wear 12

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by T@T

Please explain

I'll give you my take on that. Unfortunately for Iggy (not his fault) he is still the best player on this team. If you believe (and it might not be true) that Iggy is no longer as motivated as he used to be to win a cup, then it creates the situation where this teams best player and captain's primary focus in life and his carre isn't the Cup.

Don't fool yourself on how much influence the team captain, especially one with the history and pedigree of Iginla has on the rest of a team. He will set the tone and culture, and even if it's not consious (as I'm sure Iggy still likes to win and would "like" a cup) if he's not as motivated to win as the guys he's facing night in and night out in our opposition, it will directly impact the attitude and drive of this team.

Removing Iggy, even if you can't replace him skill wise, forces another player or players to be the leaders of this team (something that will never happen formally or informally if Iggy is on the roster) and could actually spark the culture into a more motivated one.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Table 5

His family might be his priority, but his family should not the Flames priority. Want to stay in Calgary and be the family man and cruise the rest of your career? Sure, sounds good to me...but you can forget your franchise player contract. Here's your $2 million dollar a year offer....we'll use the rest on someone who still gives a crap.

OK then.

Just so I can keep track here...

Iginla is a coward and now doesn't "give a crap"?

This is some eye opening stuff.

[JeanLucPicard]

Originally Posted by Henry Fool

I hope the management aren't too wimpy to trade Iginla. My fear is that they're so scared of being the people who send Jarome away that they'd rather let him walk after the season and let him be the "bad guy".

I hope they don't put Iginla in that situation at all. He should go to a team that gives him a chance of success. Don't make him look selfish by forcing him to be the one who says it out loud.

I think King and owners are worrying about their wallet. They're thinking that if Jarome is gone, maybe the amount of people that come watch the game will be significantly reduced and they won't make as much money. They're using Iginla.

[Tinordi]

Yeah I don't think Iginla is that coachable, I don't think he really does what it takes to win, and I don't think the team can really move on until it actually moves on from the Iginla and friends era, an era defined by failure.