Greetings from Toronto, dear readers.
Some quick hits before the unveiling of the #TribHKY Power Poll:
= Vicky Hall of the Calgary Herald with this report that ties into the #IginlaWatch: http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/hockey/calgary-flames/National+Hockey+League+scouts+flock+Calgary/8081852/story.html
As you’ve read here before, the Penguins are intrigued by what Flames RW Jarome Iginla would bring to the team, but they are hardly of the opinion that a significant piece (read: D Simon Despres) should be shipped to the Flames for a rental player.
Here is what the Penguins like about Iginla:
- He has played with C Sidney Crosby before (2010 Olympics), and if part of the top line, the Penguins could then bolster their third line by moving RW Pascal Dupuis to play with C Brandon Sutter and LW Matt Cooke. This is no knock on Dupuis. However, the Penguins do believe a third line of Cooke-Sutter-Dupuis could be the difference for them in any seven-game series.
- Iginla is a veteran, a famously respected/popular veteran, and without a Stanley Cup ring. There is a sentiment that that type of fit would be good for a dressing room that is comprised of 12 players that were part of the 2009 Cup club. So, for those of you that have called Iginla the 2012 version of former RW Bill Guerin, you probably would not be wrong.
Know this about Iginla: The Penguins will have to beat out the Boston Bruins, their opponent tonight, to bring him in. The Bruins, a strong contender in the East, believe Iginla can carry them back to the Final.
Know this, ALSO, about Iginla: There is a better chance he stays with the Flames than leaves. It will be his call, and these types of breakups do not usually happen. For every Raymond Bourque, there are a handful of players that choose to stay where they are rooted, and Iginla, the Flames’ captain, is firmly rooted in Calgary.
Look at it this way: What if, in 12 years, the Penguins were struggling. Do you think Crosby would be itching to leave just to chase a Cup?
= If the Penguins really want a RW, and are looking for a veteran that could bring something, dare we suggest another #Watch with this guy? http://stars.nhl.com/club/player.htm?id=8448208
Kidding, really, there is no chance. None.
But, how sweet of a bookend would that be if he was handed the Cup after Crosby raised it for a second time?
Seriously, though… NO CHANCE.
= For what it’s worth, all indications are the Penguins are looking to add another defensive-minded defenseman and some bottom-six depth, each of which that can bolster the ailing penalty kill. They are interested in Iginla, but that might be the only route they will take to add a top-six winger.
= Finally, with three weeks before the deadline (April 3), consider this: There is no indication that clubs other than Florida consider themselves sellers at this point. Testing the market now will prove costly to any GM.
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OK, the bi-weekly Power Poll. Enjoy, discuss, disagree.
1 – Blackhawks
2 – Ducks
3 – Bruins
4 – Penguins
5 – Canadiens
6 – Maple Leafs
7 – Senators
8 – Kings
9 – Rangers
10 – Red Wings
11 – Devils
12 – Hurricanes
13 – Wild
14 – Canucks
15 – Blues
16 – Sharks
17 – Coyotes
18 – Jets
19 – Predators
20 – Rangers
21 – Avalanche
22 – Blue Jackets
23 – Islanders
24 – Flyers
25 – Flames
26 – Oilers
27 – Lightning
28 – Capitals
29 – Sabres
30 – Panthers
Cheers,
Rossi
I’m not so sure about Iginla staying in Calgary Rob. He’s got to be keenly aware that his small window in winning a cup is closing and staying in Calgary is only going to make it that much smaller and shut even faster. They have a lot of personnel decisions to make there with a lot of players with long/no trade contracts and IMO are actually fortunate Iginla is at the end of his. This could be a blessing for both sides, regardless of how much they want to stay together.
For a player like Iginla, staying on a team he knows has long odds to win a championship is not an easy thing, and I think as long as he feels the team is ok with the deal and they are getting a fair return, he’ll be ok going elsewhere…more than likely East, out of his respect for Calgary. Who knows, he might find himself back in Calgary after he does his time elsewhere and is satisfied in his career enough to finish it there.
I agree with you about putting together 3 potential scoring lines by adding Iginla, in addition to making the Crosby line an even more formidable force because.what’s wrong with making something that’s really good even better? IMO, you can never have too much of what Iginla can bring to a team in the playoffs. I think the term “Loaded for Bear” comes to mind and a Crosby, Kunitz and Iginla line > Crosby, Kunitz and Dupuis.
I would have no problem with them giving up a 1st round pick (seeing as how it will be a late 1st round pick anyway and the Pens had two last year with Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta) and even a couple prospects like Morrow and/or Vitale. Maybe even a 2nd and 4th and a highly regarded prospect. Calgary will no doubt want youth in return and I think if the Pens have been hoarding all these D prospects and more recently, draft picks, I think it’s about time the use them.
Just like in 2008, when the acquired Hossa, the future is still now and that’s much more preferred than having the future be in the future. That’s a problem for Calgary, not the Penguins.
Also, Don’t think the Pens would be shy on pulling a trade with Despres. Like we all know; they are loaded with young D-men and drafting both Pouliot and Maatta in the 1st round last year doesn’t make it that hard to see why they could afford to.
Also, I don’t think Shero and the Pens are very happy with the more recent trade deadline and off-season plans to acquire FA’s not working out and if it comes down to out-bidding the Bruins, I would imagine they would be very aggressive in topping any of their offers. The Pens have the quality and depth of trade-able young assets that I don’t think many teams can match and I have this feeling just based on the recent CBA meetings and butting of heads with Jacob, the Penguins ownership (like a few others) isn’t very fond of Bruins ownership
“Look at it this way: What if, in 12 years, the Penguins were struggling. Do you think Crosby would be itching to leave just to chase a Cup?”
Big difference if Crosby never won one before versus already having won a cup.
If not: “Itching to leave”?, Maybe not itching, but would he consider it and lean that way if he had the opportunity? Most definitely.
In addition to that; I guarantee you Mario would have played elsewhere later in his career if he had the opportunity and had he not won at least one cup with the Pens.