Jarome Iginla on Boston vs. Colorado, adapting with age and Patrick Roy (Puck Daddy Interview)
Jarome Iginla is a legend.
He ranks 47th overall in points with 1,199 in his career and 20th overall in goals with 575. And he’s at it again for Colorado. His 15 goals leads the Avalanche.
The 37-year-old Iginla has had extraordinary level of consistency. Since 2000-01 he has had 30 goals every year – with the exception of the 2012-13 lockout-shortened season.
The only element lost on his resume is a Stanley Cup. He hasn’t won one, and in his back-to-back years with powerhouses Pittsburgh and Boston, those two teams flamed out in the postseason.
Regardless, his legacy is secure. He is one of the true ambassadors for the game – a guy who is smart, talkative and enjoyable to watch on the ice.
Iginla carved out a decent chunk of time for us after a morning skate in Nashville to answer many questions, which is cool because players try to scram quickly after morning skate. Thanks Jarome!
Q: You smile a lot when you talk to us, but you’re a nasty SOB on the ice. Explain this Hulk-like transformation…
IGINLA: "On the ice I think it’s a competitive, intense game. We all have different styles. We try to win more battles and try to get engaged and usually try to get yourself a little bit grumpy out there. I know I do. We all have different styles, so it’s part of the game trying to be competitive and compete and be determined."
You’ve played with Joe Sakic on Team Canada, now he’s your boss in Colorado. You’ve played against Patrick Roy, now he’s your coach. You’ve played with and against almost every big-named Canadian hockey player from the last era. That must feel interesting.
"I think it’s cool. Part of the attraction to come to Colorado was to play for Joe and Patrick and I believe in what they’ve done in their careers as players and on teams and I believe we’re going to find a way to be successful. They have so far and I wanted to come and be a part of it. I do think it’s pretty funny.
"(Alex) Tanguay is a little more unique situation because he played yearly with them and won a Stanley Cup with them. It’s a neat dynamic. Once you come in … it’s not that much different.
Have you and Joe talked about having Patrick put on some pads and trying to organize a shootout against him?
"He was definitely one of the best goalies to play, but I always found him to be one of the hardest guys to score on. He was one of the guys I was most excited when I did get one past him because he was a great goalie, but also very competitive and if one got past him, no matter what he was pissed and that was pretty cool."
After being in Calgary for most of your career, with three teams in three years now you’re like a hockey nomad. What has that been like after playing one place for so long?
"It has gotten easier. It has been great. I’ve had a lot of fun. It has honestly been … my family and I have really enjoyed it. They have been fun adventures and having a chance with Pittsburgh … it was an adjustment leaving and being in such a familiar environment for so long and being unfamiliar and a new thing. But it was a great challenge. It was fun. We made it to the conference final, I hadn’t been in there in a long time. Going to Boston we won the Presidents’ Trophy, it was a fun year, we had a lot of success during the regular season, the most success I’ve had during the regular season, made the second round of the playoffs. That was fun, playing the Canadiens. It has been great.
"Now coming to Colorado, I don’t really want to move again, but it has been a fun year. It’s a great place to play its’ a wonderful city. The guys here are great. It’s a wonderful energy, and I think we’re going to keep getting better. I enjoyed all my time in Calgary. Every year, it’s the NHL. It’s something I’ve dreamed about since I was seven years old. It has been as good as I could have dreamed and a lot better.
"Each one of those … I’d love to win the Stanley Cup. But as far as moving it has been great. It has been interesting and I’ve learned a lot and experienced a lot."
Do you have any regret about leaving Boston?
"No, I don’t really think like that. I’ve really enjoyed … we’re a few points behind Calgary for the last playoff spot. Our game is starting to come. I think I’m where I’m supposed to be and no complaints and I’m enjoying it. I’ve been very fortunate. My family has enjoyed it and I’ve enjoyed it, there’s no ‘what-ifs, shoulda coulda.’ I’m extremely fortunate and no complaints."
You’ve played in every incarnation of the modern-day NHL and done so successfully. How have you been able to adapt?
"I’ve been very blessed to play as long as I have. I’ve gotten to play with some very good players and good situations and keep trying. I’m fortunate and keep trying to learn more and get better and I still like it and I still enjoy playing and competing and having fun, so you try to stay … as a whole it’s a more skating league. Guys are in better shape overall with more knowledge about taking care of their bodies and just different stuff than when I started 18 years ago. There were guys who did it in pockets when I started, but it wasn’t a whole group. Now it’s rare if you see a guy who isn’t in good shape."
Is it about learning about the new rules along with talent?
"I guess the style of game, you try to adapt, but still at the same time you keep your strengths. I want to be shooter, be competitive, go to the net, so it has changed, but it hasn’t changed that much. It’s more skating than it used to be for sure. Every guy, for the fourth line, seventh D-man, they can all skate. It wasn’t always like that. You had big, tough guys and things like that. It wasn’t as skating back then.
"It’s also about training and trying to make sure you stay fit and not make any excuses like ‘Because I’m getting older to let myself get out of shape’ or whatever. You still work as hard every day and keep shooting pucks keep listening to coach. I wouldn’t say a lot has changed. I more just keep trying to improve."
Players like Sidney Crosby pulled out of the All-Star Game at the last minute. Do you have a take on that, and is it important for stars to play in such events?
"There’s no point for me to weigh in on that …
"They have their rules and stuff and I think some guys are dinged up and some want a break. I couldn’t tell you who wants what or wants where, but I don’t know. That’s part of the thing. Erik Johnson on our team couldn’t go, he would have loved to go. Each guy, it’s too hard to say where people are at or what they’re feeling and stuff, so I don’t want to guess."
Mike Richards, another former Team Canada teammate, was recently put on waivers and sent to the minors. Weird seeing a name like that on the waiver wire?
"He’s had a lot of success. He’s a good player and won a couple of Stanley Cups. There’s a business to it and our contracts are part of it. But as players who play against him, we definitely have a lot of respect for him and what he has accomplished and the success he went to LA and had. Who knows where it’s going to go, but it’s definitely … we see it and all the different players who go on waivers. It’s part of the business side of it."
I’ve heard you have a home office. What does Jarome’s office look like? Wayne Manor perhaps?
"Probably not a lot different than most other people’s. Not exciting I have a desk, some chairs."
Books?
"Not really on display anymore. It’s not the look we’re going for.
"I have the different Olympic torches from all the Olympics I got to participate in. That type of thing, nothing too crazy. My wife doesn’t like a lot of clutter or anything."
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Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @joshuacooper
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