Jarome Iginla: Do The Los Angeles Kings Want Him?

Numerous rumors are circulating that it’s just a matter of time before Calgary Flames forward Jarome Iginla is traded.

Given Iginla’s sub-par performance last season and subsequent slow start to the 2010-11 season, I can understand the Flames wanting to shop Iggy, but with three years left on his contract at a cap hit of $7 million, does any NHL team really want his services?

Complicating matters is the fact that Iginla owns a no-movement clause. That said, Iginla does not strike me as the kind of player that wants to remain in the fold if he is not wanted, so I do not foresee that NMC being an issue.

Elliotte Friedman of CBC Sports wrote earlier in the month that Iginla would agree to a trade, but only if the Flames make it public that any move is the team’s choice, not his.

Needless to say, given his struggles of late, there are only a handful of teams out there that would want to take a chance on Iginla—especially in light of his huge salary.

As it stands right now (all numbers courtesy of www.capgeek.com) there are only 11 teams with enough cap room to pull off a deal for Iginla, but with a little maneuvering, anything is possible.

Fact is, as good as Iginla has been in the past, there are very few teams out there that would be willing to take a chance on Iggy, but there are a few teams that stand out in my mind.

The Los Angeles Kings are off to a terrific start, but they could still benefit from the services of a Jarome Iginla, and they have the assets to part with that could get a deal done with Calgary.

Adding Iggy to the Kings lineup would bring Los Angeles a little star power and offensive punch, as well as adding an element of leadership to a team that could use a playoff-experienced veteran.

As much as Calgary wants to believe that they are close, I would suggest that a couple of prospects and one roster player gets this deal done. No way Los Angeles gives up any more than that, not with Iggy’s cap hit.

So what would the Flames want in return?

Defensive prospects Tomas Hickey and Colten Teubert’s names are bound to come up, as are forwards Brayden Schenn and Andrei Loktionov. As for roster players—Wayne Simmonds comes to mind, but outside of him I am not so sure the Kings would be willing to part with any other regulars.

I cannot see the Kings offering up Dustin Brown and I am pretty sure they like their defense “as is.”

In order to make the cap hit work, Los Angeles may entertain moving Jarret Stoll or Matt Greene, but I am not so sure Calgary would be willing to accept either player in a trade.

Other teams that would be interested in Iginla?

Well, you’ll hear the Toronto Maple Leafs pop up in rumor mills, but I just can’t see that happening.

The Pittsburgh Penguins could use Iginla’s services, but with little in way of prospects to offer up and with the team up near the cap limit, it would seem as if adding Iggy would be all but impossible unless the Flames are willing to take a player of similar cap hit in return.

The New York Rangers are said to be interested, as are the Ottawa Senators, but I just cannot see a fit with either team.

Where would I like to see Iginla end up?

I would love to see Iggy land in Tampa Bay, but again, that’s not likely to happen.

Another great fit would be Washington, can’t see that happening either...

Fact is, it’s very difficult to pull off trades in the NHL these days, especially in light of the salary-cap considerations.

More likely Iginla is forced to play out another 20-30 games before anything happens. That said, unless things turn around for Iggy, you can expect these rumors to persist—for better or for worse.

Until next time,

Peace!