If Jarome Iginla was "Ben Smith" nobody would want him back based on his play.
- Ryan_Wilson

If Jarome Iginla was "Ben Smith" nobody would want him back based on his play.
- Ryan_Wilson

Agreed but his name is jarome iginla and everyone knows what he is capable of he's been doing it a long time. Obviously he isn't going to be what he was and we can't expect him to be but anytime his poor play is mentioned bylsma has to be brought up. He used him terribly he obviously should have been on the RW the whole time and probably should have been with Crosby and dupuis.

The thought process is this ... no good free agent in their right minds will go to Edmonton. They need help at defense and in the net. In order for this to happen, at least one of the big four will need to be dealt to fortify shortcomings. It's not like they are on the cusp here. They have lots of work.
- Oneonta Penguin

That is like saying that the Penguins should have traded Malkin or Crosby just before the Staal draft because they weren't on the cusp. With the youth of Hall, Eberle, RNH, Yakupov and Shultz the Oilers have time to be patient and wait before forcing deals to fill holes.

Agreed but his name is jarome iginla and everyone knows what he is capable of he's been doing it a long time. Obviously he isn't going to be what he was and we can't expect him to be but anytime his poor play is mentioned bylsma has to be brought up. He used him terribly he obviously should have been on the RW the whole time and probably should have been with Crosby and dupuis.
- Genev21

Would I have used Iginla differently, yes.

Do I think playing the opposite wing is something that a hall of fame winger should be able to handle, yes.

Would I have used Iginla differently, yes.

Do I think playing the opposite wing is something that a hall of fame winger should be able to handle, yes.
- Ryan_Wilson

I agree with that as well but I also understand that if you have been doing the same thing for 16 years its hard to make that adjustment quickly. We saw it just this year with ovechkin switching from LW to RW as he struggled tremendously early in the season and he wasn't even playing on the left as long as iginla was. Ovi figured it out and won the MVP (still should have been crosby but that's a different argument). I don't doubt that with time iginla can contribute on the LW but there wasn't time to experiment with that this year. And again he shouldn't have even been on that side.

anyone see kuni being traded? last yr of contract, getting up their in age? had a great yr so his stock might be high.. gives more room to resign dupes and cooke and mayb even iggy... ya I know 50% of people don't want him back..
- nh4442

You don't trade Kunitz. We have no one on the roster that does what he does. You don't resign Iggy. We was a worthless acquisition. You say Kunitz is getting up there in age. Well, Iggy is three years older than Kunitz and isn't as effective anymore.

I agree with that as well but I also understand that if you have been doing the same thing for 16 years its hard to make that adjustment quickly. We saw it just this year with ovechkin switching from LW to RW as he struggled tremendously early in the season and he wasn't even playing on the left as long as iginla was. Ovi figured it out and won the MVP (still should have been crosby but that's a different argument). I don't doubt that with time iginla can contribute on the LW but there wasn't time to experiment with that this year. And again he shouldn't have even been on that side.
- Genev21

Tavares in my opinion with Crosby and Bobrovsky/Kane as runner ups. But yes that's another discussion. Whether he is back or not I am happy that he was able to put on that Penguin uniform. He was classy no matter what. You can blame him, Bylsma and anyone else. It doesn't matter. He can contribute to a winning team and that's all I care about.

Agreed but his name is jarome iginla and everyone knows what he is capable of he's been doing it a long time. Obviously he isn't going to be what he was and we can't expect him to be but anytime his poor play is mentioned bylsma has to be brought up. He used him terribly he obviously should have been on the RW the whole time and probably should have been with Crosby and dupuis.
- Genev21

Everyone knows what he was capable of doing three years ago. Times have changed. He isn't capable of doing the things he once thrived at.

Everyone knows what he was capable of doing three years ago. Times have changed. He isn't capable of doing the things he once thrived at.
- Oneonta Penguin

He isn't going to be one of those guys that the other team fears or you think is going to score every time he gets the puck but he an still contribute to a Stanley cup capable team in a big way. Even if he isn't producing offense at the same clip he can still register some and he is one of the best players to have in the locker room. Great leader and he does it by example he isn't afraid to mix it up either and I respect that very much from every hockey player.

Anybody heard from CPF?

He isn't going to be one of those guys that the other team fears or you think is going to score every time he gets the puck but he an still contribute to a Stanley cup capable team in a big way. Even if he isn't producing offense at the same clip he can still register some and he is one of the best players to have in the locker room. Great leader and he does it by example he isn't afraid to mix it up either and I respect that very much from every hockey player.
- Genev21

I respect what he has done and he seems to be a very likable guy. That said, after the Boston series, we can't sit tight with the status quo. I don't want to sign him to a three-year 4.5 million deal. He isn't worth it.

You don't trade Kunitz. We have no one on the roster that does what he does. You don't resign Iggy. We was a worthless acquisition. You say Kunitz is getting up there in age. Well, Iggy is three years older than Kunitz and isn't as effective anymore.
- Oneonta Penguin

Kunitz has also become a leader for the offense. Also one of the best forecheck era on the team. He shouldn't be going anywhere.

I respect what he has done and he seems to be a very likable guy. That said, after the Boston series, we can't sit tight with the status quo. I don't want to sign him to a three-year 4.5 million deal. He isn't worth it.
- Oneonta Penguin

I don't see him getting that much in free agency especially with the cap coming down this year. Teams are already having to buy out of bad contracts I don't see them investing that kind of cash in an older player that is a second liner at best at this point in his career.

anyone see kuni being traded? last yr of contract, getting up their in age? had a great yr so his stock might be high.. gives more room to resign dupes and cooke and mayb even iggy... ya I know 50% of people don't want him back..
- nh4442

No way he's the only forward that plays the body and makes plays down low. I think he'll retire here. Kuni>dupes

No way he's the only forward that plays the body and makes plays down low. I think he'll retire here. Kuni>dupes
- sammy87

I double that. I'd also would love to see Cookie retire a Penguin, as well as Dupuis. I always say those three are our own version of the old guys in Detroit: Draper, Holmstrom, Maltby or Cleary

Agreed but his name is jarome iginla and everyone knows what he is capable of he's been doing it a long time. Obviously he isn't going to be what he was and we can't expect him to be but anytime his poor play is mentioned bylsma has to be brought up. He used him terribly he obviously should have been on the RW the whole time and probably should have been with Crosby and dupuis.
- Genev21

couldn't agree more. Bylsma has to take some of the blame... despite that, Iginla played no worse than anyone else on the team. his stats were congruent with at least what I expected him to bring. People can point fingers all they like, but when the supposedly top 2 players in the leauge are held scoreless then thats where the blame needs placed... because they certainly arn't going anywhere (nor should they be) people like to look elsewhere for what went wrong this year. Certain members of this forum were against trading for iginla in the first place so they have no problem ignoring the circumstances of his time on the burgh.

I double that. I'd also would love to see Cookie retire a Penguin, as well as Dupuis. I always say those three are our own version of the old guys in Detroit: Draper, Holmstrom, Maltby or Cleary
- Orpik44

we can't get rid of Kunitz... He is a good compliment to both crosby and Malkin, though I like him better with Malkin. Relatively cheap top 6 winger.

couldn't agree more. Bylsma has to take some of the blame... despite that, Iginla played no worse than anyone else on the team. his stats were congruent with at least what I expected him to bring. People can point fingers all they like, but when the supposedly top 2 players in the leauge are held scoreless then thats where the blame needs placed... because they certainly arn't going anywhere (nor should they be) people like to look elsewhere for what went wrong this year. Certain members of this forum were against trading for iginla in the first place so they have no problem ignoring the circumstances of his time on the burgh.
- ChrisMS

I hear you Chris. I'd also would love to re-sign Iggy for less than $2M. I think he still can give us some top 6 play. Points wise he produced what I was expecting. I was only disappointed with his physical play to be honest. I thought we were getting a hard checker..he's not that kind of guy.

I hear you Chris. I'd also would love to re-sign Iggy for less than $2M. I think he still can give us some top 6 play. Points wise he produced what I was expecting. I was only disappointed with his physical play to be honest. I thought we were getting a hard checker..he's not that kind of guy.
- Orpik44

I would go as high as 2 years 6 mil for him... but what I was disappointed in was he didn't bring leadership I expected. He took a complete back seat to crosby and the gang. I really thought he would be bill Guerin like... Guerin had no problem stepping up and providing that leadership. Iggy's leadership, like his hitting, was meek

I want a top 2 defensive defenseman for Letang. I want a bigger, meaner forward up front a la Lucic. I want Dan gone. I want Flower to hold his position and stop dropping like a stone too early. Do I want too much, maybe? But isn't this what this blog is for? Venting our frustrations?

I want a top 2 defensive defenseman for Letang. I want a bigger, meaner forward up front a la Lucic. I want Dan gone. I want Flower to hold his position and stop dropping like a stone too early. Do I want too much, maybe? But isn't this what this blog is for? Venting our frustrations?
- powerhouse

Dman right! I want Lemuiex out of retirement and playing like he's in his 20's!
I want Tom Barrasso to come out of retirement to be the goalie coach and not be a complete wiener!
I want rob scudari to come back for peanuts and bring his twin brother with him!
I want hockey games to be called the same way all season and through the playoffs!
THATS WHAT I WANT!!!!!!!!!

I would go as high as 2 years 6 mil for him... but what I was disappointed in was he didn't bring leadership I expected. He took a complete back seat to crosby and the gang. I really thought he would be bill Guerin like... Guerin had no problem stepping up and providing that leadership. Iggy's leadership, like his hitting, was meek
- ChrisMS

True. I think we all expected more leadership coming from him and Morrow. Maybe they should've had seated with Shero and Guerin to talk about what he had to do. Just like an actor. They were just too passive and quiet.

True. I think we all expected more leadership coming from him and Morrow. Maybe they should've had seated with Shero and Guerin to talk about what he had to do. Just like an actor. They were just too passive and quiet.
- Orpik44

Morrow was the bust of the deadline... ouch... I really thought it was a good deal...
Can't win them all.

Morrow was the bust of the deadline... ouch... I really thought it was a good deal...
Can't win them all.
- ChrisMS

I thought that was stupid when they made that trade ad he did nothing o change my opinion.

I thought that was stupid when they made that trade ad he did nothing o change my opinion.
- Genev21

kudos then... I thought it good at the time because I thought he would bring a leadership presense like guerin did... the iginla deal made the morrow trade look foolish in retrospect... but until the iginla deal I thought it was a good deal at the time... trade a prospect that the team had soured on for a decent player and to go up a couple rounds in the draft. hindsight is the best sight