While he had previously been non-committal as to whether or not he would like to be traded between now and the deadline, Colorado right winger Jarome Iginla indicated to Josh Cooper of Puck Daddy that he is hopeful for a move:
“I would like to, at the deadline, go somewhere. I would like to be in the playoffs. I would hope that there is some opportunity to go and play in the playoffs. Those are the best games, the most fun for sure, and you have a chance to win. So no, I haven’t given up on that chance to win.”
He added that he has not yet approached management about asking for a trade or waiving his no-move clause.
2016-17 has not gone well for Iginla or the Avalanche, who sit dead last in the league with just 13 wins and 28 points in 48 games this season. As for the 39 year old, he is having the worst season of his 20 year career with just six goals and six assists in those 48 games while averaging a career low 14:48 per game.
While it’s unlikely that a contender would be viewing him as a legitimate top six option up front, there should be several teams who would be willing to use him in a bottom six role while valuing his leadership. Iginla undoubtedly would be motivated by a trade to a contender as well to give him a chance at his first Stanley Cup title. He also has plenty of postseason experience, seeing time in 81 games while being quite productive with 37 goals and 31 assists.
Making things work financially will prove to be somewhat of a challenge. Iginla is in the final season of a three year, $16MM contract (a $5.33MM AAV) he signed back in the summer of 2014 with a salary of $5MM this year and most contending teams don’t have that much cap space to work with. As a result, it seems likely that a move will be closer to deadline day itself to reduce the financial obligation of the acquiring team unless the Avalanche are willing to retain a significant portion of the contract; they can retain up to 50%.
If I were a GM acquiring Iggy, I’d want him deployed in specialist matter. Heavily sheltered 5v5 time on the 4th line and an option on the PP. His main asset at this point is his leadership as his on ice ability has declined rapidly.
I wouldn’t say that it’s his skill, playing on a losing team can be hard to want to play well for. I feel going to a contender can really spark his season.
It very well could but his declined skating and speed would be a detriment playing regular shifts in the top 6 for a contender. I love Iggy and everything he’s done but sheltering him in the bottom 6 and utilizing him as a 3rd shooting option on the PP(surrounded by 1 or 2 playmakers) is where you’ll get most of his on ice value.
Purely speculation but I could see Tampa Bay, Montreal or Toronto getting Iginla. Tampa would need to be creative but they may be able to convince Salic to take Eric Condra. Montreal has a bit more wiggle room but wouldn’t be able to offer anything too exciting.
Montreal is fairly deep at RW when healthy(Radulov, Gallagher and Shaw) and Iggy isn’t really suited to play in the top 6 anymore. Bergevin has also spent the better part of the last 5 off seasons avoiding a slow skater in Jagr and I can’t see him wanting to add the even slower Iggy to his team.
I think Edmonton would be the best place for Iggy. They’re primed for the playoffs and he could be quite valuable as a leader and calming influence on a rather young team.
Im hoping Ottawa trades for him, leadership and forward depth is something we need.
Is the cap hit the full $5.33MM or just the prorated portion of what is left on the year at the time of the trade? And then can the Avs retain 50% of that remainder?
If so the challenge of fitting the cap hit isn’t so great.
It’s the prorated portion as of the time of the trade. However, even if Colorado retains 50%, the acquiring team would still be on the hook for nearly a $1MM hit on their cap (if we were to be dealt today) which several contenders can’t afford at the moment. A lot can change between now and then in terms of roster moves over the next month so finding the right fit financially should be easier closer to the deadline than it is now.
You would think most teams have a $1MM dollar expiring contract they would throw in to make it work. Avs can’t be expecting much in return.
It’s not a $1MM expiring contract they’d need to match it though. A $2.67MM contract (half of Iginla’s full-season cap hit if the Avs retain the max) would be needed to go the other way. The roughly $1MM is how much in actual money he would be owed if he were to be dealt today with Colorado retaining 50%. Generally speaking, it’s easiest to work with the full-season numbers in terms of trying to line up money in a trade, especially if you think retention could be an option. A lot of teams with eyes on contending don’t have the ability to add a player with a full-season cap hit of $2.67MM (50% of $5.33MM) at the moment.
Wouldn’t mind seeing him back with the Pens… maybe second time around will end up with better results