[Rumour] Iginla willing to waive NMC at this years deadline

[Strange Brew]

I am a fan and a sentimental one at that. If the Flames are poised for a playoff run (and not just fighting for a spot) I would love nothing more than Iginla being a part of it.

I hear the dressing room talk but I haven't heard anything that makes me think it's an issue. Is this version of the room any better than when Iginla was captain? Nothing that I am aware of but maybe others know more.

[Locke]

Well, see, I wouldnt really consider adding Iginla at the deadline 'loading up' for a playoff run. Its a gamble.

It would be a gamble for the team and it would be a gamble for Iginla.

In no universe would the Flames, even if they make the playoffs, be considered contenders so everyone is gambling together which is good incentive for good performance.

But its not a 'Victory Lap' or anything, there would still be expectations.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by TheScorpion

I'd want Iginla here if, and only if:

- Colorado retained salary
- They took a 5th round pick (or lower) back
- Giordano didn't relinquish his captaincy
- The Flames are comfortably in a playoff spot

Items 1,2 and 4 are valid. I'd give up a beter pick than 5th though.

Iginla wouldnt be the captain, not even a remote possibility.

[sirbert]

I hate to say it but I would worry about the distraction.

The story instantly becomes Iginla's return home and quest for his last run at the cup. The Flames go from a team on the rise back to Iginla's team in the media. I know that the players and the room are different and avoid listening to the media, but you can't ignore the fact that they will be listening to questions and people talking about it.

Further, we are all subject to social dynamics. Gio was the clear choice as captain when Iginla left the mess that was. Similar to an old boss coming back it isn't so easy to just flip the switch and put Iginla in a subservient role on the Flames. On any other team, he is a complementary player. The problem with vets who are past their prime is you need to pay them a lot of respect while balancing out their limited capacity. Given his aura on the Flames, I think that it becomes a large distraction.

Further, I don't recall much help from Iginla during his peak in the playoffs. Iginla's Flames were not playoff performers on a consistent basis. The run in 2004 was abnormal. Iginla's Flames turned out to be a relatively fragile group once the playoffs arrived.

[Sylvanfan]

I think it would be too much of a distraction for Iginla to return to Calgary. The current leadership core of the Flames isn't established enough yet.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Obviously the Flames won't keep rolling like they are now all season, but they finally look like a team now, with some nice chemistry.

There's an off-ice chemistry question, there's a big salary, and the biggest concern for me are the skills on the ice.......he just isn't a great player anymore.

I just don't see the need to take that gamble right now at all. I get the nostalgia factor, but he just isn't going to improve the Flames very much, or at all.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

We certainly need to get more RW depth, but I would prefer they consider better options that Iginla. If he is the only possibilty and we could get him for really cheap, then it might not be a bad idea.

The top 15 pending UFA RW according to Capfriendly are

Radulov
Iginla
Burrows
Stafford
Gionta
Oshie
Jagr
Hemsky
Doan
Williams
Wingers
Purcell
Neil
Kassian
Parenteau

This is a rental we're talking about - a depth rental at that. Anyone on that list who is an appreciable upgrade on Iginla is not going to be available to the Flames.

His fancy stats are solid. I have to think the Avs in the situation they're in, aren't terribly inclined to feed a 39 year old pending FA minutes to get him going.

Versteeg-Monahan-Brouwer
Tkachuk--Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Bennett-Iginla
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway

Anyone seriously thinks Alex Chiasson at any age is better than a 39 year old Iginla?

Repeal Obamacare, replace with.... Something better. What's something better?

[LGA]

The Flames really don't want Iginla back. For two years now he's slowed down a ton, and just doesn't seem like he gives a damn out there. If someone leads him with the pass there's a good chance he doesn't even try to skate to the open area. Good luck if you want him to forecheck.

[Vinny01]

People that are worried about the locker room or Iggy coming in and acting like the captain need to give their head a shake. If Iginl returned here he would be a bit piece in a team that has almost completely turned over since he left. Monahan, Gaudreau, Bennett, Brouwer, Frolik, Tkachuk, Chaisson, Hathaway, Ferland, Hamilton, Jokipakka, Engellend, Elliott, Johnson were not flames when Iggy was here

Only Giordano, Brodie, Wideman, Backlund, Stajan, Bouma are left.

I get why people are a little nervous as the locker room appears to be in shambles by the time the team decided to do a full rebuild. If Iginla returns he will be so far from the best player on the team that he just needs to be a good teammate and accept whatever role the coach gives him and try and win with the franchise he spent 16 years of his blood, sweat, and tears playing for.

His right shot, one-timer, willingness to fight are all things that would be a good fit for this group. He would also be a player that the rest of the team desperately would want to win for.

I say bring him back send Bouma or Chaisson the other way and LTIR Smid or kick in a 3rd to have the Avs take that contract back in the deal.

[Psytic]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

The top 15 pending UFA RW according to Capfriendly are

Radulov
Iginla
Burrows
Stafford
Gionta
Oshie
Jagr
Hemsky
Doan
Williams
Wingers
Purcell
Neil
Kassian
Parenteau

This is a rental we're talking about - a depth rental at that. Anyone on that list who is an appreciable upgrade on Iginla is not going to be available to the Flames.

His fancy stats are solid. I have to think the Avs in the situation they're in, aren't terribly inclined to feed a 39 year old pending FA minutes to get him going.

Versteeg-Monahan-Brouwer
Tkachuk--Backlund-Frolik
Gaudreau-Bennett-Iginla
Bouma-Stajan-Hathaway

Anyone seriously thinks Alex Chiasson at any age is better than a 39 year old Iginla?

Repeal Obamacare, replace with.... Something better. What's something better?

He is too slow now He would hold Bennett and Johnny back imo. A lot of goal scoring is off the rush on turnovers I don't think Iggy could keep up unless he sat at the blue line cherry picking all game.

[Iniggywetrust]

There has been a history of aging stars being traded to cup contenders as a depth piece that have worked out very well.

I doubt we will go through this whole season without injuries, we are already weak on the right side and a hard nosed winger with a shot is pretty important in the playoffs.

Nostalgia aside, he would be valuable to us. Emotionally, bringing back a fan favorite might be something the team can rally behind when the chips are down.

[PugnaciousIntern]

The most painful part is that he is no longer a star player, and his production is coming from squeezing out the last of his talent. If we ignore the name, this is exactly the player we don't need: a slow, 3-4th line production, relatively high cap hit player. I would absolutely have gone for the Iginla of 3 or 4 years ago, but his game has changed dramatically since then.

I just don't see how he helps our team more than a variety of other options out there. It would certainly make my heart warm, but this is like trying to get back together with an ex. Lots of feelings, not a lot of sense.

[Anduril]

I'd love to see it happen because I can't imagine the cost to be significant at all.

Problem is with how the team is rolling and even on an eventual bad stretch, Chiasson is still a better 200ft player because of speed alone than Iginla. The only one he could replace if the entire team is struggling is maybe Versteeg. Even then it's not clear cut.

Still, would be an awesome storyline.

[skudr248]

No to iginla.. just no.

[Jackpot_Smooth]

I think Iginla would know his role on the team. He was really reluctant to take the 'A' his first year in Colorado when Roy asked if he wanted it. He didn't want to change up the dressing room culture. I think he would be a good team mate and let the young core and current leadership do there thing.

[dissentowner]

Have people who want to replace Chiasson with Iggy out to lunch? Chiasson has been solid, he opens up space for his wingers, he hits, and he has wheels. I get it, it is a nice thought for nostalgia purposes to bring him back but this group of players has gelled into a very good team, you don't disrupt that just for a feel good story.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Locke

See, and this is my thinking as well.

I know the return for Iginla was less than stellar, but the concept of moving him was addition by subtraction.

Nothing against Iginla the player, or the leader or the person, but as I've stated a number of times, he became bigger than the team, almost bigger than the club and other people (Giordano) werent engaging to their capacity because it was 'Iggy's team.'

So yeah, there would have to be dressing room concerns.

Further, I dont begrudge anyone their fantasy of bringing him back for a Playoff run, who wouldnt love to see that?

And as a Wild Card I think 'Regular Season Iginla' and 'Playoffs Iginla' are two entirely different beasts.

This is why I am keeping an open mind on the idea - an April Iggy is a completely different beast than a November Iggy at this point in his career.

Also, if the Flames were to happen to meet up with the no goods, a matchup of Iggy and Lucic would be interesting. It might be a very effective way to neutralize Lucic.

[Jacks]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Also, if the Flames were to happen to meet up with the no goods, a matchup of Iggy and Lucic would be interesting. It might be a very effective way to neutralize Lucic.

That would mean that Iggy would be matched up with the McJesus line which probably wouldn't end well.

[Dion]

I like the team we have now and adding Iginla would mess with chemistry.

No thank you.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Jacks

That would mean that Iggy would be matched up with the McJesus line which probably wouldn't end well.

Gaudreau - Bennett - Iginla in some situations, the Backlund line in others

(it is impossible to have a perfect matchup of one line against another in all situations - doesn't happen)