Colorado Avalanche’s Jarome Iginla among the veteran players still thriving...

[manwiches]

http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/...oung-mans-game

The so-called greybeard in a very young Colorado Avalanche dressing room does not actually have any grey hairs in his beard. He might shave his head to hide a growing bald spot and there are probably a few more laugh lines from that ear-to-ear smile that fans have come to know and love, but all in all, Jarome Iginla gives the appearance of someone a lot younger than his age would suggest.

“I actually feel better now a little bit,” the 38-year-old Iginla said. “But I do have to make sure I take care of myself. The shifts are more skating. It’s up and back, up and back and off. If you don’t care of yourself, you’re done.”

Nice read, and nice update on Iggy. Love that he's still doing well despite him being a bit older. It's a testament to his dedication off the ice and his desire to still be excellent.

[CroFlames]

I legit get annoyed at Iggy hate. What's to hate about the guy? And what more could fans want from a guy?

An awesome player and a true legend of the game. I really hope someone somewhere gives him another deal or two. If I was a GM, I would. He'll likely get close to 30 again this season, why not next year and the year after that? The guy obviously keeps in great shape and you hear nothing but good things about him from guys in the locker room.

Currently 4 goals away from 600. I'll be pumped when he reaches that milestone as my favorite all time player.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

I legit get annoyed at Iggy hate. What's to hate about the guy? And what more could fans want from a guy?

An awesome player and a true legend of the game. I really hope someone somewhere gives him another deal or two. If I was a GM, I would. He'll likely get close to 30 again this season, why not next year and the year after that? The guy obviously keeps in great shape and you hear nothing but good things about him from guys in the locker room.

Currently 4 goals away from 600. I'll be pumped when he reaches that milestone as my favorite all time player.

What hate? I don't think many Flames fans hate the guy. I don't even know how you can hate the guy and be a Flames fan, it doesn't make sense.

Unless you are equating not wanting to re-acquire him as hate, I'm not really sure what you mean.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

What hate? I don't think many Flames fans hate the guy. I don't even know how you can hate the guy and be a Flames fan, it doesn't make sense.

Unless you are equating not wanting to re-acquire him as hate, I'm not really sure what you mean.

There is Iggy hate out there. He's lazy, he's country club, un-coachable, only cares about his own stats, too slow... It's there buddy.

But there's even hate from opposing fans which annoys me. That's like hating Toews. Who the hell hates Toews?!?

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

There is Iggy hate out there. He's lazy, he's country club, un-coachable, only cares about his own stats, too slow... It's there buddy.

But there's even hate from opposing fans which annoys me. That's like hating Toews. Who the hell hates Toews?!?

I suppose there is a bit of that but I think it is a small minority. It stands out because it's so asinine. I question the motivations of any that would harbour such resentment towards the best player in franchise history, to be honest. Especially considering he hasn't played on the Flames in years.

[Nobama]

I would sure take Iginla's 30 goals a season over Stajins 3-5.

Iginla would be a great addition to this current Flames club. Its a shame we traded him for a bag of pucks.

[Igottago]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

There is Iggy hate out there. He's lazy, he's country club, un-coachable, only cares about his own stats, too slow... It's there buddy.

I think there's a some people that (wrongly) resent Iginla for the failures of the previous Flames era, but its pretty irrational. The guy did everything he could for the franchise while he was here, couldn't have had a better player wearing the uniform. Some people just don't understand how lucky we were to have one of the generational greats on the team for so long. Players like him don't come along all the time. Great to see him still going and still playing well.

[manwiches]

I still hold a bit of hope that he signs a 1-2 year great value deal to end his career here, and then Dave Andreychuk (i know... sore spot) his way to a Cup here.

#wishfulthinking

[Strange Brew]

First hockey game I took my son too, we were visiting Denver. During warmups, Iginla skated over and smiled to him and asked me if he could give him a puck.

I know lots of players do this, but I don't know how many of the "greats" do it. In any case, it made a big impression on both of us. Jarome may not have been a perfect player but he represented himself and this team with class. And his stats speak for themselves. First ballot HOFer.

[Vinny01]

Iginla is my favorite player of all time and I love that he is still lighting it up.

The Flames had no choice but to trade him he was not going to stay during a rebuild and they spent 3 summers after 2010 trying to build a competitive team around him.

I am not the least bit surprised he is still putting up big numbers. He is one of the top 5 players of his generation and could play another 2 years after this contract expires.

If Calgary can become a true contender prior to him becoming a UFA I would accept Iggy back on the team but only as a complimentary player and not a focal point.

[Gaskal]

I think he said he would refuse an in-season trade due to his family, so no acquiring him at the deadline. After his contract expires he'll start thinking about where he wants to play his last contract.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

I think he said he would refuse an in-season trade due to his family, so no acquiring him at the deadline. After his contract expires he'll start thinking about where he wants to play his last contract.

The only way I'd want him back is if Calgary is a legit Cup contender. Otherwise there is no point taking on a vet like that (even if the vet is a legend).

If there is a miracle turnaround this season and Calgary acquires a bonafide #1G, then I would like to see Iggy come back and fulfill his destiny.

[Erick Estrada]

I still like Iggy and when I see the NHL scoreboard I always check the Avs games in hopes he's hit the scoreboard. I'm just glad he's no longer a Flame as it was a relationship that went past its expiry date.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

There is Iggy hate out there. He's lazy, he's country club, un-coachable, only cares about his own stats, too slow... It's there buddy.

But there's even hate from opposing fans which annoys me. That's like hating Toews. Who the hell hates Toews?!?

One of the reason things like that were said was because towards the end of his tenure in Calgary, he was no longer the bull in the china shop power forward we all grew to love.

When he first came into the league, the six-foot-one, 210-pound winger was a power forward who would hit, fight and race into corners looking for contact as much as he was the puck. But if he tried to play that way today, he would likely not make it to December.

“I’m probably not as physical,” said Iginla, who is 11th on the team with fewer hits than Matt Duchene. “But the game’s not as physical as it used to be. People say the game is faster, and I think it’s consistently fast but it’s not actually faster. The fast guys, like Paul Kariya, they were always fast. But now everyone on the fourth line and the sixth D-man can skate.

The man had to change the way he played in order to get that longevity that only a handful of power forwards ever have. Imagine him trying to play like he did in his prime at this age. As the article said, he wouldn't make it to December. Yet many people here interpreted this as him not trying as hard. That he didn't care any more. That couldn't be furthur from the truth. Smart players adapt to age. Foolish ones keep trying to do what made them successful when they were younger. The fact that year after year he's a lock for 30 goals at his age....just unbelievable. And while he might not be the power forward of younger days, he still fights when called upon and will still kick ass doing so.

There is no one else that I want to see raise the cup more then Iggy. I'm pretty sure the entire hockey world feels the same. But it's looking less and less likely that as long as he plays for the Avs he will do so. I know he said he would turn down a trade in order to keep his family life stable, and I respect that. But I would be so happy to see him accept a trade in the last couple months of this contract and just take 1 last run.

[rohara66]

Favorite Flames ever. Favorite player ever.

I wasn't happy when we traded him and I want the Flames to bring him back if there's even a hint of a chance the Flames can get into the playoffs and attempt any sort of a run for the cup.

Super Iggi fanboy... I don't even care.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by CroFlames

There is Iggy hate out there. He's lazy, ...too slow...

That's not "hate". That's "watching him play in the last two years and not having blinders on from looking at a stat sheet and remembering the guy from when he was 26".

[The Yen Man]

It's too bad it looks like he won't waive to go to a team like the Habs. I'd have no issues cheering for them to win the cup if Iggy was on the team. Only teams I would not cheer for him to win a cup on would probably be the Nucks and Oilers. Heck, I might even have to begrudgingly cheer for him if he were to win a cup with the Leafs.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

That's not "hate". That's "watching him play in the last two years and not having blinders on from looking at a stat sheet and remembering the guy from when he was 26".

WTF does that even mean? People were expecting a 34 year old Iggy to be a 26 year old Iggy? WTF?

[Jason14h]

People were expecting a 34 year old Iggy to be a 26 year old Iggy

Yes.

Some people still thought he could get 50 goals at 30 despite the fact no NHL ever had

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by Nobama

I would sure take Iginla's 30 goals a season over Stajins 3-5.

The only time Matt Stajan ever scored as few as 5 goals in a season was in 2012-13, thanks to the lockout. His goal scoring over his NHL career, beginning with 2003-04:

14, lockout, 15, 10, 16, 15, 19, 6, 8, 5 (lockout), 14, 7.

He's no Iginla, and he's not even a 20-goal scorer, but let's not lie to make a point, shall we?