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Jarome Iginla on joining Kings: 'I think I can still be effective'

Josh Cooper


Newly acquired Los Angeles Kings forward Jarome Iginla truly believes he has a lot left to give this season.

He understands he has suffered through the worst year of his career and won’t hide from this fact, but he also knows his body and thinks that even at age 39 he’s spry enough to produce at a higher level.

“My energy doesn’t really feel like it’s the issue. I’ve had a couple really cold stretches and stuff so confidence-wise I was probably battling the puck a little bit more than when it’s going well and not in a groove,” Iginla said on a conference call after the last place Colorado Avalanche dealt him to LA for a conditional 2018 fourth-round draft pick. “But I think those are things that can change and like I said, my energy and my desire and I look forward to competing and battling in the corners, in front of the net and doing those things. I don’t feel tired in that area so I think I can still be effective and get better than I have been and produce more than I have and I look forward to that challenge and that opportunity to do so.”

The Kings don’t see Iginla, who has eight goals and 18 points in 61 games, as a savior, but believe that even at his advanced age, he can contribute in a top-six forward position. General manager Dean Lombardi indicated Iginla could be a complement to center Anze Kopitar, which would put future Hall of Fame winger on one of LA’s top two lines.

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“If you look at it in terms of Jarome, it’s not only going in front of the net where he has great instincts and we all know about his battle and everything, but he’s also a really smart player … a good example is like Brett Hull in finding those seams and when to show up in them, which I think is really critical in today’s game given the way everybody collapses and the ability to know when to get open and how to get there and having a release is something we really haven’t had and certainly not that dimension to put with Kopitar,” Lombardi said. “So when you see Kopitar doing his work on the walls and things, not only are you hoping Jarome can be that guy to be F2 and help him there, he’s a big, strong guy and competes. But he’s also the type of guy who can get open for you for those plays.”

Though the decision to add Iginla, who ranks 16th on the NHL’s all-time list in goals scored with 619, was splashy, the move was low risk for Los Angeles. The draft pick the Kings used to acquire Iginla goes away if the conditions, which are playoff related or if he re-signs with the Kings, aren’t met. So basically the only way the Kings end up giving up that pick is if Iginla has enough success to help the team reach its goals. The Avalanche also will pick up 50 percent of Iginla’s $5.33 million salary cap hit, which decreases the financial burden for Los Angeles.

The Kings entered Wednesday’s action one point behind the St. Louis Blues for the final Wild Card spot in the Western Conference.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously another veteran guy that’s going to come in to this locker room and help us out with the leadership and just his presence,” Kopitar said according to LA Kings Insider. “We all know what his resume is so hopefully he can help us out in all the departments and I’m sure he’s been in battles or stretches like this where he was battling for the playoffs and all that so I guess just his experience coming in will help us.”

Adding Iginla also reunites him with Kings coach Darryl Sutter, who was Iginla’s bench boss when the Calgary Flames went to the 2004 Stanley Cup Final. Sutter was also Iginla’s general manager in Calgary for several years and has often spoken glowingly about his former player. Iginla appeared eager to get back to work with Sutter in Los Angeles.

“You know one thing playing for him, he is firm and he can be tough but I think that can be a good thing and you always know where you stand with him and what he’s expecting of you and what role – and he really defines roles – so I look forward to talking to him and working with him in what he’d like me to do and what he expects from me,” Iginla said. “But it does make it easier having that relationship because every coach has a different style and way of communicating and as a player getting used to it, you know, it can take some time or trying to find that balance in a relationship and stuff.”

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Earlier in the day, Iginla said he was 50/50 on whether he would play after this season. A lot of his decision on 2017-18 may depend on how he performs in Los Angeles and if he’s able to rediscover at least some of his old form. Lombardi seemed optimistic Iginla could see an uptick in production just by being in a winning environment.

Said Lombardi, “What you’re hoping too is that taking him out of (Colorado), giving him a fresh start and having a chance to win again, hopefully ignites him.”

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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!

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