Door opening for Iginla deal

The fans have spoken and so has Jarome Iginla, making it clear two-thirds of the parties involved are at least starting to come to grips with the possibility of a trade.

We’ll hear from the club at noon Tuesday when GM Jay Feaster treads carefully around an issue that has dominated the Calgary sports scene the last week like never before.

And while Feaster and the ownership will have the biggest say in whether the Flames’ retooling involves replacing their current captain, it’s evident the door is opening for what was seemingly impossible just three months back when he scored No. 500.

After more than a decade as the face of the franchise and the most popular player in Flames lore, the captain’s standing as the most untouchable piece of the Flames is essentially now over.

He admitted as much Monday, acknowledging he will be subjected to the same off-season scrutiny as mere mortals around him for the first time since he became an NHL star.

The 34-year-old said he’d prefer to stay in Calgary but doubted he’d be interested in sticking around for an Edmonton-like rebuild, reiterating he wants a chance to win. Once again loathe to admit his team is any worse than various top-eight outfits, the consummate company man still thinks the Flames are “close.”

Time for a baseline test Iggy.

Far more shocking than his admission he may not want to be around for a sizeable overhaul were the shocking poll results in the Calgary Sun Monday showing that 49% want Iginla traded.

Never before has the classy man with such iconic status ever come close to what amounts to a 50-50 split in support of an open-ended stay.

http://www.calgarysun.com/2012/04/09/door-opening-for-iginla-deal