saneopinion

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Canada, AB • Canada •

Iginla Bids start here:

It's funny when you look at perceived value versus reality. Right now, in reality, Iginla is a serviceable second line winger. His perceived value as a super star is the exact opposite. Iginla has a lot of qualities that make him hyper attractive for a lot of markets. He does still have an incredible shot and can change games when motivated, he can lead and is a huge marketing dream for any team. His promotional side is a actually bankable, he's well spoken, a visible minority and great character make him something every franchise in the States would pay for. (I know you may ask yourself what his skin colour has to do with hockey and the answer is nothing but if you're looking to sell tickets or create interest in a market that is predominately African American then Iginla becomes a lot more valuable than what he simply puts in the net. It's not a race thing it's a business thing.)

Having said that what is he worth and what do you compare him to? Iginla's scoring stats are comparable to Kovalchuck's since the lock out and I believe that a similar rate of return is what would be demanded. Namely a 1st, 2nd, decent winger, decent defenceman and a prospect with something going the other way as well.

My math may be off and I apologize if it is but I see Iginla getting 417 points since the lock out and Kovalchuck getting 438 going into this season so at the very least they are comparable. Iginla fights, leads and as I mentioned before is much more marketable.

Why would you get rid of him? Because the Flames have mis-managed their assets too long and require the kind of infusion trading Iginla would make. The baton needs to be passed or the Flames will languish in mediocrity for a while. Would it tear our hearts out? Yes. Just as much as Nuiewy did or Fleury. For every loss there is a gain though so lets look at that and the real reason why we come to Hockeybuzz... to speculate wildly with no basis!

A team that is in "win now" mode with cap space is most likely a good landing spot for Iginla. He will not waive to go to a loser team that is for sure, he will want a shot at winning the cup. I have Washington, Philly, Pittsburg, L.A., Vancouver, Detroit and San Jose as teams that are in wanting to win right now mode. Of those Washington, Pittsburg, L.A. have some decent space to work with. These teams will not give up a top flight player because they want to win now and that wouldn't make sense so here is where the negotiations would start:

Washington- 1st, 2nd, Johansson now to make this interesting what if the caps threw Nylander to the Flames? Simply as a salary move as he is UFA next year and they are paying over 4 mil for an AHL guy. If the Flames took that Salary they might get another decent player as well. Possibly a Fleishman? Something may go back the other way as well a bad salary like Staios or Sarich.

L.A.- Rumoured already to being eyeing up #12 this trade makes the most sense as the Kings have a lot of good young players to spare. 1st, Schenn and either Hickey or Teubert may be enough to get this done. If something goes back to the kings I would imagine Simmonds will be discussed as well as he's a Sutter style player. With Several other prospects in their organization and 6 million in space this could be an easy one for both sides at the deadline.

Pittsburg- The Olympic memories flooding back yet? Iginla to Crosby GOAL!!!! With around 3.3 in space as of right now this could be swung as well. 1st, 2nd, Tangradi and Goligosky.

Now keep in mind that Iginla may not waive to go east for two years.

Buffalo has also been heavily rumoured as being after Iginla so lets look at that. They do have cap room at 3.8 right now. Keep in mind at the deadline everyone counts less against the cap. Buffalo would have to start with a 1st, 2nd and Kassian. Ennis would be fantastic but I think Oiler fans would find ryhmes for him that wouldn't be flattering. With Buffalo there would be a demand to return Connolly who has injury issues, Pominville or Roy. Pominville and Roy are too high for return with the necessary picks and prospects Calgary would require so it would be a tough fit. Hecht may be a better idea for the short term.


Pheonix may be a surprise here too. They have 9 million in space due to the league subsidizing them but if they can make a run at the cup they may look to swing a trade. I'd start with Turris, a 1st and Gormley.

I have made a quick list of starting points for conversation about Iginla here by team:

Ana: 1st, 2nd Sbisa, Fowler

Atl: 1st, 2nd, Burmistrov, Bergfors

Bos: 1st (toronto's of course), 2nd, Marchand and player

Carolina: 1st, 2nd, Skinner

Chicago: 1st, 2nd, Beach and player

Colorado: 1st, 2nd, Stewart

Columbus: 1st, Filitov, Player

Dallas: 1st, Glennie, Player

Det: 1st, 2nd, Tatar, Hudler

Flor: 1st, 2nd, Bjugstad, Player

Min: 1st, 2nd, Granlund, Player

Montreal: 1st, 2nd, Palushaj, player

Nash: 1st, 2nd Ellis, Wilson

N.j. 1st, 2nd, Tedenby.

NYI: Niederieter and a 1st as starting point.

NYR: Kreider, a 1st, 2nd and Player as a starting point.

Ott:...I got nothing here.

Phi: Nodl, a 1st and 2nd and obviously a decent player making big cash for cap reasons.

S.J: Couture, a 1st and 2nd and probably Pavelski would be a starting point.

St. Louis- This would be tricky due to the youth on the bog club, would involve more actual roster players. Tarasenko and a 1st to start though.

Tampa- Strong up the middle already to Connolly and a 1st to start.

Toronto- No first so that is a non starter but Kadri obviously as a start. No real deal here though.

Van: Don't even think about it. (Schoeder, a 1st, couple roster players named Sedin

Again, I'm not outlining deals but giving a STARTING point to help out mister Sutter because he is a huge fan of my blog. I also apologize for any mis-spelled names in this blog.

Lastly Iginla is valuable to Calgary right now but the future is bare and bleak unless they get return for him this year. His stats are declining and this is business, as much as we love him.

S>O>

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