No Ring-y For Iggy: Jarome Iginla falls short again

Jarome Iginla fell short once again this year in his Stanley Cup conquest, as his Boston Bruins were eliminated by the hot-streaking Montreal Canadians in the second round.

Now, its doubtful his full name Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adekunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla would fit on the cup, but the soon-to-be 37-year-old is running out of time for his biggest career goal.

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Yeah, he has two Olympic golds, and two Memorial Cup Championships with the Kamloops Blazers. Yeah, he won the Art Ross in 2002 (and the Lester B. Pearson Award), and two years later lead the league in goals once more. This was also the year the Flames made him captain, and he led them to the Stanley Cup Final – his only appearance. Calgary dropped in seven games to Tampa Bay.

Deciding to leave his home province for a serious run at the silver grail, Iggy explored his options in 2013. He eventually chose Pittsburgh over Boston, and of course, Pittsburgh was knocked out by the Bruins in the Eastern Conference final. Wrong pick, Iggy.

He excelled with the Penguins in the playoffs, but had subpar season statistics. At the start of this past season, he signed a one-year, $6-million contract with Boston. He found his groove again with 30 goals playing on the KIL line with David Krejci and Milan Lucic.

If history were to repeat itself, it would seem Iginla would want to sign with the Habs, the team that eliminated him. However, the Bruins and GM Peter Chiarelli have made it clear that resigning him is a priority over the summer, even if it means shifting around other pieces of their puzzle – including Brad Marchand.

“It’s a great group and I hope to be able to come back and I know it’s something that I hope that works and there’s a deal for everyone,” Iginla said once his season was over. “I know the Bruins need to look at what they want to do and whatever, but yeah, I really enjoyed it and hope there’s something worked out there because I also think it’s a team that has a good shot as any to win and I think that next year the team can have that.”

Well said, Iggy. Wouldn’t be surprised if they give you an A.

Other teams would be interested in him as well, of course. He has the experience, in the post-season too; except the big cup run with the Flames, following the lockout the Flames made the playoffs every year until 2010. However, in each of those years they were eliminated in the first round.

Detroit is always looking for veteran presence. New York may be alluring to him as well, seeing as how far they went this post-season. With Chicago looking to shake up some of their forwards, Iggy might be a decent fit.

Last season, he signed the one-year deal mostly for the bonus. However, he didn’t earn $250,000 for missing the Finals, and another $250,000 for not making the East Finals. Bonuses are not allowed to be included in multi-year deals for players over the age of 35, so expect Boston to pass over a piece of paper with a one-year deal – with a bonus list as long as Jarome’s full name.

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