Given how the last few years have gone for Boston winger Jarome Iginla, nobody would have blamed him if he decided to while away the remaining seasons of his career with the Bruins in hopes that they could bring him a Stanley Cup.
First, he had to endure months (if not years) of rampant trade speculation before the Calgary Flames, the only NHL team he had ever suited up for and the team for which he holds the all-time franchise records in games played, goals and points, finally dealt him to the Pittsburgh Penguins at last year’s trade deadline. For Iginla, it was an opportunity to play alongside his 2010 Olympic linemate Sidney Crosby, as well as his first legitimate chance at a Stanley Cup since Calgary lost to Tampa Bay in 2004.
However, the hockey gods had different ideas of course, and the Penguins lost in embarrassing fashion to the Bruins in last year’s playoffs. It seems though that turnabout is fair play, and the Bruins, who thought they had Iginla instead of Pittsburgh at the trade deadline only to be rebuffed by Calgary, was able to bring the 36-year-old into the fold as a free agent last summer.
Suddenly Iginla found himself with another second chance, an opportunity that rarely comes up for NHL players, even those of the exceptional variety, and he’s making the most of it. Iginla is not just along for the ride on a championship caliber team, he’s leading the charge and putting the trials of the last two seasons behind him.
Playing on what could be considered Boston’s top line (though their forwards ranks are so deep that it’s hard to make that distinction on many nights) alongside David Krejci and Milan Lucic has allowed the power winger to play with a confidence and, dare I say, a pure joy that we haven’t seen from Iginla for some time. He’s loving the game as much as he ever has, and it’s showing in his performance.
The NHL recently announced that Iginla has been named the league’s first star of the month for March, an award that was well-deserved. He led all players with 13 goals in the month and added four assists for 17 points in 17 games. His shooting percentage was predictably sky-high at 31%, more than double his career average, but that’s what happens when you’re playing with a ton of confidence.
More importantly perhaps is the fact that Iginla hit the 30 goal plateau for the 12th time in his 17-season career. He’s also up to 560 goals in his career, tying the legendary Guy Lafleur for 24th in NHL history. When you consider how Iginla is flying up the all-time scoring charts, combined with his two Rocket Richard trophies, his Art Ross, his Pearson, his two Olympic gold medals, his back-to-back Memorial Cup championships with the Kamloops Blazers in the CHL and his six all-star game appearances, it seems he’s only missing one last trophy to top off a sure-fire Hall of Fame career: the Stanley Cup.
The Bruins may just be providing the best opportunity that Iginla has ever had to capture hockey’s ultimate prize, in large part thanks to Iginla’s contributions. He currently sits second on the team in scoring with 61 points through 75 games this year (just two back of linemate Krejci’s 63 points) and leads the team in both goals and game winning goals, while helping propel Boston to the best record in the Eastern Conference (52-17-6). Even more than just numbers, Iginla has become another veteran leader on an already experienced team, and his affect on both Krejci and Lucic this season has been an added bonus.
Let’s be honest with ourselves though, much of Boston’s potential this year, and therefore Iginla’s, is the relative disparity in the Eastern Conference as compared to the West. Most observers, myself included, can easily see Boston steamrolling through the East on the way to its second straight Stanley Cup Final appearance. Out West, the playoff battle becomes much tighter and the margin of error that much smaller. It’s unlikely that Calgary was ever going to be competitive again during Iginla’s tenure had he stayed there, but even if they were to appear in the playoffs, even Iginla’s contributions wouldn’t be enough to get past some of the other juggernaut teams in the West.
Boston however is second in the league in goals scored, first in goals against, and won’t face much heady competition outside of Pittsburgh (who you’ll recall they completely destroyed last year) and maybe a darkhorse team such as Montreal, who always seems to get under the Bruins player’s skins. For Iginla, the time is now.
When thinking about Iginla’s situation, an elite player entering the twilight of his career and finally getting a chance at the Stanley Cup he so assuredly deserves, it’s hard not to draw comparisons to the great defenseman Ray Bourque.
He was, like Iginla, a man who shed blood, sweat, and tears for his former organization for many years while never getting to taste the holy grail. He was, like Iginla, a man respected around the league both for his efforts and for his sublime skill. He was also, like Iginla, afforded that one last opportunity to make a run for the Cup and was rewarded for his toiling when Colorado Avalanche captian Joe Sakic finally handed it to Bourque in the spring of 2001 before even raising it himself.
One imagines if Bruins captain Zdeno Chara gets the opportunity, he’ll do the same, and Iginla’s already radiant smile will be larger than ever, and reflected in the faces of countless hockey fans around the world. For a man who’s done it all, and who’s been through the wringer for his dedication to a failing franchise in Calgary, it’s amazing that he can still be one of the best right wingers in the game and have such an outstanding opportunity before him.
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