[News] Iginla practicing with Bruins AHL team

[Corral]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I don't get why he didn't have the hip surgery until November if he really wanted to play this year.

Good point above re Versteeg. maybe he was hoping to avoid surgery and tried other rehab first? And on that note, maybe he pulled himself out of talks after the stint in Providence cause he's not ready. Which suggests- hopefully speaking - he will give it one more go next year.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MrMike

I think he did it with Boston, and he was awful at that. Or was it Chicago?

It was with Boston in 2012. Rask got injured just after the trade deadline, but was projected to return before the playoffs (he was out for the first five playoff games too -- Khudobin backed up Thomas for those games).

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I don't get why he didn't have the hip surgery until November if he really wanted to play this year.

My understanding is that he delayed the surgery because he wanted to play this year. I believe his first priority was to get a contract or PTO to start the season. When it became evident that wasn't going to happen, he decided to have the surgery, which was necessary, but not urgent (he could have played without it).

[sureLoss]

Johnston on 960 says his sense that Iginla isn’t ready to give up returning to the NHL

[Badgers Nose]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Johnston on 960 says his sense that Iginla isn’t ready to give up returning to the NHL

Well he never was a quitter, why start now?

Man I wish that goal crease camera would have been better in game 6. I imagine it would be easier for him if Iggy didn't still have that blank line on his resume where 'Cup Champ' should be.

[Heavy Jack]

Depending on how the offseason goes and if Iggy trains through the summer and keeps in good shape I’d happily sign him to a PTO if we can slide away from Brouwer and his contract.

Couple younger guys on the 4th line lead by a motivated Iginla who’s back in game shape wouldn’t be terrible if he cost 1 to 1.5 mill.

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I don't get why he didn't have the hip surgery until November if he really wanted to play this year.

He was probably hoping someone would sign him before November and that he could forego the surgery. After a while, it probably became apparent that he needed it (and some playing time in the minors) before a team would look at him. Unfortunately for him, the gamble didn't pay off.

It does beg the question whether he is looking for a pay cheque or a Stanley Cup. I know it is not a popular opinion around here since many fans are sentimental. People like to think he is all gushy and sweet in the middle, but Iginla has always been all business when negotiating contracts with the Flames (held out twice). And then he went for money in Colorado when there were probably better contenders to sign with. And it isn't just Iginla, but players in general are about maximizing their earnings, and rightfully so. Winning a Stanley Cup is the ultimate prize for fans and franchises, but most players are about the bottom line these days.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am sure Iginla - if he wants to play next season - will get a PTO or two his way, if nothing more than out of respect for him.

It will be up to him to work his way onto the team and sign an NHL contract. It could happen, especially depending on the team and the depth they may or may not have.

Won't surprise me if he calls it quits this off-season either.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I am sure Iginla - if he wants to play next season - will get a PTO or two his way, if nothing more than out of respect for him.

He didn't get any this season. I don't know if he's more likely to get any next season after not playing for over a year.

[ComixZone]

A big summer of training - do it Iggy! Fight for every last stride on nhl ice!

[calgarywinning]

I would like to see him fulfill his intention and play for another cup contender. Hope he doesn't rule out next season. Will be interesting to see where he ends up.

[combustiblefuel]

Originally Posted by Corral

Good point above re Versteeg. maybe he was hoping to avoid surgery and tried other rehab first? And on that note, maybe he pulled himself out of talks after the stint in Providence cause he's not ready. Which suggests- hopefully speaking - he will give it one more go next year.

Hopefully he is done. It is starting to get pathetic when guys just cant admit they are done.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by combustiblefuel

Hopefully he is done. It is starting to get pathetic when guys just cant admit they are done.

Goodness, man. He is 15th all time in GF, and you are throwing around the word pathetic?

[calgarybornnraised]

This is sad to watch,Iginla is better than this. Retire a Flame and bring it to an end.

[Jetfire]

If he's serious about one final run, he should finish off this season as strong as he can in the minors, put in a good hard summer of training and hopefully get some kind of deal with someone for a swan song season. That's a way better way to go out than fizzling out from an injury and late surgery.

I really feel there's no shame in him continuing to try, he's got nothing to prove to anyone and is merely wanting to play for the love of the game now. I say go for it Iggy.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by Heavy Jack

Depending on how the offseason goes and if Iggy trains through the summer and keeps in good shape I’d happily sign him to a PTO if we can slide away from Brouwer and his contract.

Couple younger guys on the 4th line lead by a motivated Iginla who’s back in game shape wouldn’t be terrible if he cost 1 to 1.5 mill.

You want to watch Jagr 2.0 situation again? Taking a year off is not going to make Iggy any faster. Let's face it , he would be even slower. I doubt he could even be a regular 4th line player at this point. He would probably be closer to a 13th forward. He's my favourite flame of all time but it's time to hang them up.

Plus I'm not convinced he would sign a PTO. He didn't last year.

[kukkudo]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

You want to watch Jagr 2.0 situation again? Taking a year off is not going to make Iggy any faster. Let's face it , he would be even slower. I doubt he could even be a regular 4th line player at this point. He would probably be closer to a 13th forward. He's my favourite flame of all time but it's time to hang them up.

Plus I'm not convinced he would sign a PTO. He didn't last year.

He couldn't be any slower than first line material Chris Stewart.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by kukkudo

He couldn't be any slower than first line material Chris Stewart.

What? He is waaaaay slower

Stewart isn't even slow

[Robbob]

If he is serious about wanting to play in the NHL he has to try hard to get an invite to the worlds. He has to play something this year. There is no way he can go 18 months without playing hockey and expect to be playing in the NHL.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by getbak

He didn't get any this season. I don't know if he's more likely to get any next season after not playing for over a year.

For me the Hip Surgery is the real Wildcard.

If he didnt play and wasnt really in game shape and couldnt get there because of the hip then maybe another 6 months of training and skating might do the trick for another shot next season.

I think back to a guy like Selanne. He once credited the 2005 lockout for saving his career because he just got time to heal up and get in shape and come back at it 100%.

It can be done. But that was then and this is now and we are increasingly seeing the NHL as a Young Man's game.

Being on the wrong side of 30 is tough but do-able. The wrong side of 40 is essentially the Undiscovered Country.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by dino7c

What? He is waaaaay slower

Stewart isn't even slow

Neither is Iggy.