Should Calgary Trade Jarome Iginla?

[RGM81]

Here's a discussion topic that should provoke some interest.

I read the latest issue of The Hockey News, and in there is an article stating that it may be best for both Calgary and Jarome to move on - it likened him to being in the same situation as Mats Sundin: face of the franchise, deeply involved in the community, but when it comes it is time.

The Flames aren't going anywhere this year - they're probably just bad enough to miss the playoffs again but barely too good to be a lottery team. It's six years removed from the Cup Finals and there's really no reason to believe that such a trip is due for a repeat any time soon.

There are obstacles of course. As usual, money is a big one. $7M per season for two more years for a player that may be just a bit past his prime. There is also Jarome's no-trade clause. There is also the inevitable backlash that would follow from trading "the franchise" and face of the Flames for the better part of the last decade.

But there is an upside. It would allow a new leadership core to emerge in Calgary. The return on Iginla would be greatly beneficial to the future of the Flames, be it a young inexpensive prospect and/or a couple high draft picks and/or a younger high-end player. For Iginla himself, a new start in a new city could be what he needs to get back on track.

So here's a two part question:
1. Should the Flames trade Iginla?
2. Would you want him on your team, and if so what would you be willing to give up to make it happen?

Discuss.

[lumm0x]

For the long term good of the franchise....yeah probably. He's still got enough left in the tank to reap a decent return and restock the cupboards for the future. But the concern would be Sutter doing the deal and screwing it up. Even if he worked a nice return it would be the nail in his coffin from the fanbase. If he cares about the team, trade Iginla and then resign. He'd do the franchise a favour on both aspects.

[30ranfordfan]

He's got a NMC, so it's going to be tough....... but I would say, if Sutter is smart, absolutly. I don't think Calgary's long term, or short term, outlook is all that much better than the Leafs. They have some good names on their team, but not even close to competing for the cup (I might be a little biased, but I don't think they're even close to competing for 8th).

He'd have to go to legit Contender, and with his 7.0 million salary - they'll have to take a bad contract back (along with picks and/or prospects).

I would try something like this:

To Boston: Jarome Iginla, Steve Staios, Calgary's 2011 3rd round pick
To Calgary: Michael Ryder, Dennis Seidenberg, Blake Wheeler, Boston's 2011 1st round pick

Calgary would be sending 9.7 million in cap space Boston's way, and taking 9.45 back. Almost a wash.

[centrehice]

Iginla is dying on the vine in Cowtown.

The Sutters are ruining a once great franchise. No surprise here though, they've been fooling Albertans for years in thinking that all the brothers know something about Hockey........They don't. Only Duane was a competent NHLer, the other 4 ??..... hillbilly pylons.

For Iginla to survive he needs to be surrounded by sound Hockey minds, not some GM that is incapable of public speaking.

[hadesvengeance]

I have to agree with that,Sutters have ruined the sea of Red to me.I would trade Iggy and at least restock the cupboard and have a new outlook.Either picks,young stars etc but trade him while you can for a bigger return.
I would love him on my team(Caps)but not sure who I'd give up lol
A team like the Pen's or LA would love to add him to their lineup though.
mike

[ComancheKeen]

As a Flames fan, I think it might be best for Jarome to move on at this point, but I don't think it will happen. If it were to happen, I would expect to see the whole team torn apart, other than Kipper and Bourque, and lets start from square one. If he were to go, I'd expect no less than a blue chip prospect and a 1st rounder headed back. Jarome Iginla is 33, he is definitely not over the hill.

#1, Every move Calgary has made in the last 5 years or so has indicated they want to win/compete "right now". I don't think this is going to change anytime soon and trading Iggy would go against everything they have done for the last 5 or 6 years. #2, Jarome is bigger than hockey in this city. He is the biggest sports icon Calgary has ever seen and his dedication to the city and the fans is second to none. I do not see him waiving his NTC and packing up his wife and three kids and leaving town. #3, I'm sure Jarome knows there are no guarantees for a cup if he goes elsewhere. It worked for Ray Bourque, but it doesn't work for everyone. He is not going to do the Marian Hossa shuffle to win a Cup, that is not Iggy.

I'd also like to make the point that if you have seen a handful of Flames games this year, you would know that Iggy's chances are there and he has been robbed a number of times. He could easily have 8-10 goals at this point, just sayin'...

[SkyFire47]

i'm sure Glen Sather would take Iginla and Jokinen off Calgary's hands and then send Jokinen back to Calgary to even up the deal. :P

[HOCKEY68]

Send him to edmonton,wait,they suck too lol!

[Wickabee]

It would be better for both parties if they traded him. Kipper too. No I wouldn't want to see him in Van.

[flamguinfan]

He sure would look good playing for the penguins along with crosby.But that will never happen.Sutter has killed the flames with crappy trades.And handing out pretty big dollar contracts to average players(Stajan as an example).Iginla has played the last few years with to many average players and he should be given a chance to play with a contender.I think that the flames should talk to him about a team or teams that he would consider playing for.It is time to get Sutter out of the drivers seat because he is driving the team backwards.They need to go forward and start to rebuild and get some top prospects into the mix.I am a big Iginla fan and like what he did for the team and the city.He is a first class act all the way and would be asset to any team.