Does the captain intend on staying with the Calgary Flames until the end of the season?
"Oh yeah, I intend to," Iginla said. "I think we're going to be a playoff team. I believe that . . . I don't want to speak about the Eastern Conference, but the Western Conference is tight. I don't think there's any favourite front-runner. I think if you make the playoffs, you have a shot." http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Iginla+deftly+dispels+trade+rumours+again/6111892/story.html#ixzz1liPIYISl
Shacks' Take: This is one of those rock and a hard place issues. Jarome is the most popular player to come through Calgary since Lanny MacDonald and his mustache. Players often delude themselves into thinking their team is better than it is and they can convince themselves that if they make the playoffs there's hope. But if Iggy thinks this edition of the Flames can get through three rounds that will likely include some combination of Vancouver, Detroit, San Jose and Chicago, well I admire his bravado while completely disagreeing. This is a team that finally needs to rebuild. Unfortunately, they perpetually muddle along right at the fringes of the playoff race which seems to fool them into thinking they're one break from success. Iginla is their most valuable asset, yet his no trade clause and popularity in Calgary mean the Flames can only move him if Iggy wants to be moved. Even if management decides they would like to start the rebuild, if Jarome wants to retire a Flame, he will. There may be ways to rebuild without getting rid of Iggy and those options should be explored first but the quickest way to retool would be to give Jarome a chance to play for a real Stanley Cup contender.
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