Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sometimes in life we make the wrong decision and we end up paying for it.
Jarome Iginla was set to be a Boston Bruin at the trade deadline in 2013, but he changed his mind shortly after the Bruins lost to the Montreal Canadiens. Rumors circulated that Iginla made his decision based on the outcome of that game, however the truth behind the statement was never confirmed. The next morning after the game, Iginla informed the Bruins he would not be coming to Boston and would join the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Well, with Iginla going to the Penguins the stage was set for great match up with the two teams playing the Eastern Conference Finals. Iginla clearly made the wrong decision. A series that was full of trash talk, nastiness, and the Bruins being named the “underdog” ended in a series sweep of the No. 1 seed by the No. 4 in the east.
A few months later, Iginla had the question fired at him again by Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli after the Bruins lost out on trades involving Daniel Alfredsson and Michael Ryder. Iginla was quick to jump on the deal, signing a one year contract for $1.8 million along with $4.2 million in incentives, totaling $6 million for the year. The Bruins made it clear in terms of the contract that the deal is “performance based”.
So, as for what’s ahead for the newly acquired Bruin, no one really knows. His career stats would indicate he will fill the right wing well. In 1,232 NHL regular-season games, Iginla has 530 goals along with 576 assists, landing him 32nd on the NHL’s career goal list and 57th with 1,106 points. Iginla is going to have to fill the right wing as a superstar, as the Bruins have let some talent go recently. It’s looking more and more like Iginla will be attempting to fill the Nathan Horton void, with Milan Lucic and David Krejci.
With the loss of Horton, Tyler Seguin and Rich Peverly, the Bruins need to reconstruct offensively if they hope to be a threat for the cup in the 2014 playoffs.
One more question arises; did the Bruins make the right decision not re-signing Jaromir Jagr but opting to go with Iginla instead? Jagr has tallied 681 goals along with 1,007 assists. There were rumors that the Bruins would circle back to Jagr, but with the newly acquired Iginla, it looks like Jagr won’t be returning.
Only time will tell if the Bruins have made the right decision and if Iginla can fill the role. Though the hearts of fans will have trouble accepting the deal, it is a business and hopefully the Bruins and Iginla have made the right decisions this year.
Avery Crotty is a contributor at Rant Sports Media, follow him on twitter @dynz264avery and “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
