Jarome Iginla Trade Rumors Update

An update on the Jarome Iginla saga from Rob Rossi, beat writer for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review via Twitter.  Rossi claims that the asking price for the Flames captain is a top four defenseman prospect, a roster player and a draft pick.  While Rossi doesn’t say if it’s a first, second or third round pick, you’d have to assume that Calgary will want a fairly high pick for their captain.

As far as the roster player and prospect blue liner, the Penguins are in a great position to potentially match the asking price given their depth in the minors on the blue line.  Simon Despres has also been named as a potential trade chip, so it wouldn’t be surprising to hear his name involved, should the Iginla talks between the Flames and Penguins take off.

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As of today the Calgary Flames are in last place in the Western Conference although they have played the fewest amount of games.  Six points out of a playoff spot, the Flames will be front and center as the days go by and the NHL Trade Deadline approaches.

Captain Jarome Iginla is arguably the biggest name circulating the rumor mill and to this day it still hasn’t been confirmed that he is in fact available for trade.  With that, let’s look at the latest on Iginla and the Flames.

Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun wrote on article on Sunday describing how every loss the Flames encounter these days makes the decision easier on whether GM, Jay Feaster should move their captain or not.  Francis uses the Rick Nash situation and compares it to Iginla’s, stating that eventually Nash admitted he got tired of losing.  Iginla, at 35-years old would no doubt love to get his name on the Stanley Cup and the way things are going in Calgary, it likely won’t be this year.

The decision to blow up the Flames roster will need to be made in the next couple of weeks and undoubtedly surrounds around the trading of Iginla.

Francis points out that the situation is turning into a bit of a staring contest in that Feaster has yet to hear from Don Meehan, Iginla’s agent.  Ultimately, Meehan is waiting for Iginla to decide if he wants to spark contract negotiations to stay in Calgary or end his 18-year relationship with the only NHL team he’s ever known.

Iginla does have a full, no-trade clause meaning the captain could instruct Meehan to approach Feaster about looking for a deal that could see Iggy shipped to a contending team.

Lately we’ve heard that the Pittsburgh Penguins are at the top of the list when it comes to interested teams that would love to acquire Iginla’s services, followed by the Boston Bruins.

Francis points out that the Chicago Blackhawks could be on Iginla’s list of teams that he’d go to, if he decides to waive his no-trade clause and accept a deal.  Who wouldn’t want to go to Chicago the way the Hawks have been playing this season.

We heard last week that the Detroit Red Wings would not get in on the Iginla sweepstakes if they do in fact open up.

One interesting team that Francis mentions as a possible landing spot for the face of the Flames franchise is the defending champs, Los Angeles Kings.  Sure it’s odd that Calgary would trade him to an inter-conference opponent, but Francis reminds us that Darryl Sutter, current Kings coach was the Flames coach when he and Iginla led the team to the Stanely Cup Finals back in 2004.  Of course they fell one game short of winning the Holy Grail, making a reunion with a renewed mission for Sutter and Iginla a match made in heaven.

Over at Sportsnet.ca, reports on their trade rumors page have confirmed that Feaster has held conversations with other clubs to see what the Flames could possibly receive in return for their captain.  According to some that are close to the situation, Feaster won’t get a king’s ransom for Iginla. In fact, the return package might not live up to Feaster’s expectations.

The next three weeks will be very interesting and in case you didn’t know how to spell Iginla, by April 3rd, you will have seen it enough that you’ll be able to spell it in your sleep.