With the Calgary Flames almost certain to miss the playoffs AGAIN, and Jarome Iginla slated to make $7.5 million US (which, at the current 1.5 exchange rate means he's making $11.25 million Canadian). So, with the Flames LOSING around that much this season...what'll they do?
Will the Flames trade Iginla? Will they bare the brunt of the salary hoping the team'll turn it around? Or will we move the team to Portland for no reason?
I look at you, fellow Weinervilleians...for answers!
Flames: 15-22-7-3 Current Coach: Darryl Sutter [5-4-2-0] Movie Of the Week: Chicago
Trading Iginla for anything other than another superstar would only help in the short term, because it would probably cause many season-ticket holders to run for the door if they trade him for young prospects. Calgary fans are pretty much sick and tired of missing the playoffs year after year while getting fed the "Young Guns" message from management. Saving $11 million on his salary while losing thousands of season ticket holders just continues the vicious circle that small-market teams have been stuck in for years.
The only thing that could save the Flames in Calgary is if the NHL implements some serious revenue-sharing in the next bargaining agreement. But there is no way rich teams like Boston, Chicago or Detroit are just going to hand millions of dollars to their rivals in the league. ERGO, the Flames and teams like them are done like last week's roast beef.
If the current owners of the Flames are lucky, some rich dude in the States will take the team off their hands for some actual cold hard currency. If they aren't so lucky, the rich American will wait to pick up the bones of the team from bankrupcy court.
I hate the army and I hate the RAF I don't wanna go fighting in the tropical heat. I hate the civil service rules And I won't open a letter bomb for you. ------------------------------------------------ Joe Strummer Lives!
Well, it's pretty clear the Flames missed the boat by not unloading him after last season. I know hindsight is 20/20 and whatnot...
Man, Don Meehan made out like a bandit, didn't he? Getting Iginla and Theodore those big-money contracts...
EDIT: Hey! I'm a JTTS now! All fear Bullitt!
(edited by Bullitt on 20.1.03 1821) "No team that has lost in the first round of the playoffs has ever gone on to win the Super Bowl." - Dave Letterman, January 6, 2003.