Dearly beloved we are gathered here in the sight of the hockey gods to offer our condolences to Flames fans. It’s been six days, but we understand if you all still need a shoulder to lean on, someone to vent to or a few issues to dry some lingering tears.
For once, I’m not being sarcastic.
It’s been nearly a week since the Calgary Flames general manager Jay Feaster traded Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
It was the trade that everyone saw coming, but were still blindsided by. That would be thanks to the fact that the entire hockey world was convinced that Iginla was being traded to the Boston Bruins only up until Feaster announced that a deal had been struck with the Penguins.
Talk about a plot twist and reason number 12 I love sports: soap opera-esque storylines.
The trade ends Iginla’s long tenure with the team that he was the face of, the ambassador of, in a city that adopted him as one of their own and a fan base that revered him. I’m not a Flames fan, but even I was sad to hear of the captain’s departure. Whether you love the Flames or hate them, it’s pretty much impossible to hate Iginla.
I have not yet had the honour to interview Iginla, but it is now a new entry on my bucket list. Based on the stories I’ve read and what I’ve seen just by watching him, Iginla is one of the most upstanding players in the league: accomodating with the media and the fans, gracious, dedicated and a true leader.
I watched Iginla’s press conference with a heavy heart and a lump in my throat. He held it together better than I did. I was afraid it was going to be our generation’s version of the Gretzky trade press conference.
There is no doubt that No. 12 will be missed in these parts, but the trade to Pittsburgh will be the chance to win the Cup and, most importantly, the chance he deserves.
Plus, astute Canadians and hockey fans will remember that it was Iginla who set up Sidney Crosby for the game-winning goal in overtime to win the Olympic gold medal in 2010. For many hockey fans, the prospect of reuniting Iginla and Crosby is worth the price of admission for a turn on the Penguins bandwagon.
Though, here is the personal, moral wrinkle I have found with the trade. I have a deep, deep dislike for the Penguins.
First, as someone who cheers for the Blackhawks when Colorado fails to make the playoffs year after year, Chicago’s ridiculous streak earlier this season had me convinced that they had an excellent chance to win the Cup. Now that Pittsburgh is building the hockey equivalent of the Miami Heat (they also acquired Brendan Morrow, former Dallas Stars captain and Crosby and Iginla’s fellow Olympic gold medallist), my confidence in Chicago took a hit by no fault of theirs.
Second, nothing would make me happier this season than seeing Iggy win a Cup (except maybe a few months’ supply of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups). Would someone please explain to me how I can cheer for Iggy without cheering for Pittsburgh? Sigh.
It’s a question that, of course, was brought up at the end of Iginla’s press conference: would Iginla consider returning to retire with the Flames whenever that time comes? Iginla’s answer was ‘never say never.’
He is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year and while it’s almost a guarantee that the Flames will one day raise No. 12’s jersey to the rafters, I wouldn’t hold my breath for an immediate Iginla return, fans. The team traded him as part of the rebuild and needs to focus on that now. With that being said, good luck Iggy. We can only hope that by the end of June, you’re lifting that holy grail to the rafters. If there’s anyone that deserves it, it’s you.
