Around midnight last night, Aaron Ward of TSN reported that the Boston Bruins traded for Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla. It was a great move by them and at that point, I was ready to go to bed early for once. At 1:30 a.m., however, Ward deleted his tweet and it was announced that it was in fact the Pittsburgh Penguins that traded for Iginla.
Are you kidding me, Shero? How did you do this.
So I’m not taken out of context, I LOVED the move. I was nervous because I saw what the Bruins reportedly gave up for Iginla. It would have equaled a first round pick, Rob Bortuzzo and Beau Bennett. That’s a trade I wouldn’t have made.
Apparently the Penguins wouldn’t either. The Pens gave up two college players – Kenneth Agostino and Ben Hanowski – and a first round pick for Iginla.
Bravo, Ray. Bravo.
Iginla, 35, waved his no-trade clause to join the Penguins. While Shero wouldn’t comment on how he would be used, one can assume a second line of Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and Iginla will be used.
Find me a better second – or actually a first line – that’s better than that in the league.
Iginla has 525 goals and 570 assists over his 16-year career. He won the Gold Medal with Sidney Crosby and Team Canada in 2010 and led his Flames to the Stanley Cup in 2004 as they lost to the Tampa Bay Lightning.
While the moves earlier in the week for Brenden Morrow and Douglas Murray already solidified Pittsburgh as the top team in the league, they add Iginla for a stretch run to the Stanley Cup Finals. With all due respect to the Chicago Blackhaws and its marvelous run and season so far, the Penguins are by far the Stanley Cup favorite.
Iginla will always be remembered for his time in Calgary and deep down, the fans are happy to see him go just so he can win a title. While Boston would have gave him a great opportunity, Pittsburgh provides the best chance. Similar to Ray Bourque leaving the Bruins for the Colorado Avalanche, Iginla’s looking to walk away a winner in a new city.
Photo Credits: Calgary Flames
