The Iginla-less Flames took on the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, furthering their odds at a higher draft selection this year. Calgary is finally enroute to reconstructing their roster, in the way that GM Jay Feaster sees fit.
The group which Feaster took over roughly two years ago was not one which had the right pieces or assets in place for successs down the road. The Flames lacked young top end talent, a deep prospect pool, and playoff success in recent years. Feaster had many challenges to take on and he would start by moving pieces for youth at every chance that he had.
Moving Iginla has been his biggest move to date, and although the trade didn’t yield the type of prospects many fans anticipated, his hands were ultimately tied as he worked with his captain to find the best place for him to play and further succeed in the league.
Carrying forward, the Flames appear to be looking in to more trades where names like Bouwmeester, Glencross, Giordano, Babchuk, and even Kiprusoff continues to surface. Of those mentioned, Feaster has been receiving more interest league wide for the services of his iron man defender, Jay Bouwmeester, as teams look to improve their roster for an upcoming playoff run. While there are no large rumours around any of these players just yet, there has certainly been many phone calls between GMs as the trade deadline day looms.
Iginla has arrived in Pittsburgh this morning after troubles getting through the border initially held him back. Now resolved, he will be addressing the Pittsburgh media and fans this morning and soon after he will meet his new teammates as he prepares for his first game as a Penguin alongside Sidney Crosby.
Jarome is arguably the single most recognized name when it comes to the Calgary Flames, given his time spent with the team, the friends he`s made, his successes, and most importantly his class as a representative of the NHL and the city of Calgary.
It shocked many around the world when Feaster announced at 1:30am that Iginla
was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins and not the previously reported Boston Bruins. Leading up to the trade talk of Iginla’s future was endless and it will no doubt continue even after the deal. Iginla came into the NHL through a trade much like his own with the Penguins, as the Flames moved Joe Nieuwendyk, and is about to take on a new part of his career.
Though he was drafted to the Dallas Stars in 1995, he never wore a Stars Jersey, he was
quickly acquired by Calgary and he’s been a beloved member of the Flames ever since.
Iginla is the definition of a franchise player. He has been the face of the Calgary Flames
for 16 seasons, team captain since 2003, and has achieved a high level of greatness in Calgary.
His lists of awards are endless; he has earned the Mark Messier Leadership Award, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy, the Lester B. Pearson Award, the Art Ross Trophy, and the King Clancy Award. In addition, he set a NHL record leading the Flames in scoring for
11 consecutive seasons. He is the Flames all time leader in goals 525, points 1095, and
games played 1219. The only real trophy he has yet to earn is Lord Stanley`s Cup.
His impact was felt in the dressing room after his last game in Calgary over Colorado, the
mood was sombre and most players seemed disinterested or very lackadaisical. Instead they commented on Jarome’s immense talent and tireless effort. Iginla is widely respected in Calgary and in the NHL because he is a captain that leads by example. He has a rocket
shot, he can score and he contributes to his teammates scoring, but moreover, he’s a
grinder who will fight for his team, and win.
Jarome has represented Canada three times at the Olympics and twice brought back gold, most recently in Vancouver with his new teammate Sydney Crosby. It seems fitting, if he
could go anywhere, that he deserves to go to one of the best teams in the league, one that gives him the best chance to acquire the only trophy missing on his resume. Today he ranks 32nd on the all time NHL goal list and his career is far from over.
If everything carrying foward happens in the favour of the Flames, Iginla will be back in Calgary after winning a Stanley Cup. Though fans should not get their hopes too high. His impact is so great; that I’m sure most Flames fans will be cheering on the Pittsburgh Penguins to win the Stanley Cup this year.
As mentioned, while it could be a stretch, Iginla may just end up being a rental and is his future is still in Calgary. He has stressed that he would like to play for another five years...how many of those years could be in Calgary? There are only 2 sure bets,Pittsburg is well on their way to a Stanley Cup playoffs and Iginla is the most celebrated Calgary Flames player in History who we will all cheer on.
Thank you Iginla, from Flames fans all around the world. Now go get yourself a Cup!
Calgary Flames Blogger • 
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