[Signing] Iginla to Colorado (3yrs, $5.3mil AAV)

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Yamer

What? Division winners last year and their young core will only be better going forward.

You seriously see Colorado as a contender? Okey then...

[Heavy Jack]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

You seriously see Colorado as a contender? Okey then...

Kind of hard not to think they'll do damage. Varlamov was a Vezina finalist and if he keeps that form, with Roy winning the Jack Adams as well and the additions to their offense they could easily do damage. They need to bolster their right side and upgrade their D though IMO but they are not far off.

[GoJetsGo]

Colorado has some work to do with their defense before they're contenders, but Iginla definitely adds leadership and makes a good young team (that's clearly trending up) that much better.

The puzzling part is those acting like Boston is a sure thing when there's a lot of question marks surrounding them. They could easily be trending down the next few seasons.

[Oil Stain]

Hard to say if this will be a good signing for Colorado.

On the one hand Iginla is reaching the stage of his career where he could fall off a cliff at any moment and the Avalanche will need a lot of money available in the next couple of years for Mackinnon.

On the other hand he will make a great role model and could be just fine over the next 3 seasons.

I personally don't know why he would sign a 3 year Co tract myself. If I were in his shoes I would probably be signing one year contracts to chase a cup.

[vilzeh]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Kind of hard not to think they'll do damage. Varlamov was a Vezina finalist and if he keeps that form, with Roy winning the Jack Adams as well and the additions to their offense they could easily do damage. They need to bolster their right side and upgrade their D though IMO but they are not far off.

Sure, that makes sense, but I don't see them as contenders, not even close, sure they have Landeskog, Duchene, Mackinnon etc, but naah, they need some serious D there. I don't see Varlamov playing a better season than he did this year, I'm sceptic sure, but nah.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Hard to say if this will be a good signing for Colorado.

On the one hand Iginla is reaching the stage of his career where he could fall off a cliff at any moment and the Avalanche will need a lot of money available in the next couple of years for Mackinnon.

On the other hand he will make a great role model and could be just fine over the next 3 seasons.

I personally don't know why he would sign a 3 year Co tract myself. If I were in his shoes I would probably be signing one year contracts to chase a cup.

Because it's too big of a financial risk. Iginla is a money player. Sure, he is a good guy and all that, but he has always played the financial game to his benefit as much as he could.

I think he has the best of both worlds with this contract. Colorado might not be a #1 contender, but they are top 10 IMO and might even be better in 2 or 3 years.... and he got paid.

[Jacks]

Nothing wrong with taking the money. None of the contenders can afford to add him unless he wants to play for 1M or something like that, even then it's crap shoot trying to pick a winner, L.A. was almost eliminated twice on the way to the cup. I'm guessing nobody here would turn down the extra 10M+ that he is going to make over the next few years. He's only got a few years left in his career to make cash, I wish him the best. He chose the best team with a decent contract, this notion that he is picking money over a cup is crap.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by vilzeh

You seriously see Colorado as a contender? Okey then...

I hate the Avalanche but a team that was 3rd overall in the NHL last season is obviously a contender. Maybe I use the term contender more loosely than you.

In my opinion all the following are all contenders for the Cup next season: Anaheim, Colorado, Chicago, San Jose, St. Louis, Los Angeles, Boston and Pittsburgh.

[vilzeh]

I don't see them as contenders because I still see: Anaheim, Chicago, St. Louis, Kings & San Jose ahead of them, and that's only 1 conference. Sure they can upset in the regular season, but I don't see them doing any serious damage in the playoffs. I must admit this 3 year contract might be a good deal for Iginla, because they have 3 seasons to upgrade that awesome young core. But who knows, they might be contenders next season (not the upcoming one), because I can see it as an interesting market with those players.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Jacks

Nothing wrong with taking the money. None of the contenders can afford to add him unless he wants to play for 1M or something like that, even then it's crap shoot trying to pick a winner, L.A. was almost eliminated twice on the way to the cup. I'm guessing nobody here would turn down the extra 10M+ that he is going to make over the next few years. He's only got a few years left in his career to make cash, I wish him the best. He chose the best team with a decent contract, this notion that he is picking money over a cup is crap.

The other team he was considering was Vancouver. How are they trending?

You are right in the fact that there is nothing wrong with taking the money, its within his rights as a UFA. I probably would have taken the cash.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I see similarities to his signing as Hossa's. Hossa 'chased' the cup for a couple of years between a couple of teams that were 'favorites' - guessing wrong each time, as did Iginla. Goes on to sign with a young but very talented up and coming team, and wins a cup.

If I was a betting man, I would bet that Colorado wins a cup (or comes closer) than Boston.

I think it was the right fit for Iginla in all areas - money, term and chances at the cup. Colorado was decent defensively (14th in GA). They need to improve in that area, but they are not horrible. They will improve, so will their offensive abilities. I honestly think it is a good match all-around.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

The other team he was considering was Vancouver. How are they trending?

You are right in the fact that there is nothing wrong with taking the money, its within his rights as a UFA. I probably would have taken the cash.

One has to wonder what is 'considering'. Iginla is polite as we all know. I am actually curious as to how true it was that Vancouver was a consideration. I think the considering aspect was much more from Vancouver.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I see similarities to his signing as Hossa's. Hossa 'chased' the cup for a couple of years between a couple of teams that were 'favorites' - guessing wrong each time, as did Iginla. Goes on to sign with a young but very talented up and coming team, and wins a cup.

If I was a betting man, I would bet that Colorado wins a cup (or comes closer) than Boston.

I think it was the right fit for Iginla in all areas - money, term and chances at the cup. Colorado was decent defensively (14th in GA). They need to improve in that area, but they are not horrible. They will improve, so will their offensive abilities. I honestly think it is a good match all-around.

Chicago had a up and coming Keith and Seabrook... who does Colorado have?

As for the "polite" lol... there is a difference between please's and thank you's, and stringing along a team to be "polite" lol.

Nothing wrong with it, but Iginla has always been a staunch NHLPA foot soldier. Twice a training camp hold out for money. Again nothing wrong with it, most people would too... but lets face it, this was largely a money decision.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

The other team he was considering was Vancouver. How are they trending?

You are right in the fact that there is nothing wrong with taking the money, its within his rights as a UFA. I probably would have taken the cash.

He was considering them? Or they were considering him? Big difference.

People are correct that Colorado isn't a cup finalist contender like Boston and the Pens were... but how did that work out for him? In Colorado, he joins a very good young team on the upswing.

Suggesting he's given up on chasing a cup for a payday is not the case here at all. The Avs were a top team in the league this season and it's very possible they make strides in the next three years and that Iginla is a part of that.

He got term, money - and - a good team.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Because it's too big of a financial risk. Iginla is a money player. Sure, he is a good guy and all that, but he has always played the financial game to his benefit as much as he could.

I think he has the best of both worlds with this contract. Colorado might not be a #1 contender, but they are top 10 IMO and might even be better in 2 or 3 years.... and he got paid.

Perfectly said

[Ashasx]

Maybe not next year, but in 2 or 3 years I think Colorado will have a better chance at the Cup than Boston.

I see Boston as a team on the decline.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

One has to wonder what is 'considering'. Iginla is polite as we all know. I am actually curious as to how true it was that Vancouver was a consideration. I think the considering aspect was much more from Vancouver.

also, forgot to mention this... NYI also made a 4 year offer to Iginla, but he wasn't "politely" considering them.... cause they suck.

Yes, being a good team was a big consideration, but obviously so was money (vs some players like Kariya, Selanne, Yzerman taking small contracts to win)...... which again, is perfectly within his right and doesn't make him a bad person or anything.

[StrykerSteve]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

He was considering them? Or they were considering him? Big difference.



People are correct that Colorado isn't a cup finalist contender like Boston and the Pens were... but how did that work out for him? In Colorado, he joins a very good young team on the upswing.



Suggesting he's given up on chasing a cup for a payday is not the case here at all. The Avs were a top team in the league this season and it's very possible they make strides in the next three years and that Iginla is a part of that.



He got term, money - and - a good team.

He was very much considering Vancouver. Listen to his interview on TSN, he outright addresses how he was surprised to find himself wanting to go to Vancouver after spending so many years on their chief rival.

[Bar-Down]

Avs Lineup

Tanguay - O'Reilly - Iginla
McGinn - Duchene - Landeskog
Talbot - MacKinnon - John Mitchell
Mcleod - Briere - Bordeleau
Winchester

Erik Johnson - Brad Stuart
Tyson Barrie - Ryan Wilson
Jan Hejda - Nick Holden
Stefan Elliott

Varlamov
Berra

Sure their defense could use a bit of help but I like the addition of Brad Stuart they did today. They got a younger lineup with a solid mix of vets.

If Varlamov plays like he did this season, I definitely consider them a serious threat.

No they're not quite the LA's or Chicago's of the world but they're getting close.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Phanuthier

also, forgot to mention this... NYI also made a 4 year offer to Iginla, but he wasn't "politely" considering them.... cause they suck.

Yes, being a good team was a big consideration, but obviously so was money (vs some players like Kariya, Selanne, Yzerman taking small contracts to win)...... which again, is perfectly within his right and doesn't make him a bad person or anything.

Does your point go beyond "money was a consideration" in in 37 year old signing what will likely be his last professional hockey contract?