This isn't about production or whether Iggy still produces at all---no one's made the claim that he's completely ineffectual even at 35. He's a star NHLer so he produces for his team. I still don't like what I have seen of his overall game from watching a fair amount of CGY games the past 4 or so years. Eh, he's CGY star and he likes to get the puck and as their franchise star he gets the puck. That's all CGY has done for the past decade is try to trade for and sign at least 2Cs for him to play with and get him the puck since they haven't been able to draft and develop a 1C. They've traded for guys who came off good seasons, they've brought back guys he expressly requested, they've gotten guys the fans demanded because they were sure they would finally, finally help. Nothing has worked except in spurts (they never should have let Cammaleri go his first time around in CGY btw, heh). As a franchise future HOFer he has made no one's game better and the onus is on he talented stars IMO. On that team he's their everything so big whoop that he's put up some higher scoring stats then Hawks stars. The Hawks have had a loaded core and by common sense necessity there's going to be more distribution of everything. Additionally, no one's ever doubted Iginla's commitment to fitness and conditioning---he's always been beastly at bringing that. And that will be why if he wants to play until 40 he certainly can but I'd suggest he's the type that's gonna look increasingly long in the tooth on the ice in terms of skill. That doesn't mean he's not fit but just because he's fit doesn't mean skill isn't depreciating. His conditioning for his age has nothing to do with the fact that his game has seemingly depreciated at time when we expect it of 30-something veteran forwards. It's standard, it's not his "fault". Selanne has never been typical and still puts up the razzle-dazzle in his 40's which is why everyone is astounded by him. He's a goddamn freak of hockey nature. The comparable to Iginla in terms of age and winger position is clearly Hossa. It's not even worth my time comparing their current games in relation to what I feel this team needs to succeed.
Iginla is an offense-only player. This team doesn't need more scoring via a luxury star 3rd RW. Scoring goals IS NOT AN ISSUE. They are 2nd in the league in scoring and have been much of the season. They need to better use assets which they've acquired and/or developed to shore up actual deficiencies on the roster. Last night, yet another perfect example that if this team does not wholly commit to a team D game from all corps they will fail. Lather, rinse, repeat the meme from last year. I see no point in allocating resources to a player who doesn't bring the defensive responsibility and puck possession skills with him from the get-go.That's just more having to ask other players to do more like not having a 2C who wins FOs which means the forwards have to hustle and set about getting the puck back when at least an actual 2C who's good at FOs might make the puck possession game and philosophy they give lip service too that much easier to implement. I don't care about NHL '13 fantasies, I'd like assets to be used to get a 2C who's good on FOs and has a responsible two-way game or an actual LW who also has a responsible two-way game. Despite his continuing to produce in CGY and leading the Lames every year in TOI, the fact of the matter is that when he is on the ice all that time, the advanced stats show the opposition has possession of the puck the majority of the time in recent seasons. I don't care about him and PP fever dreams---Rocky has paid for an all-star core and they should fucking be better on the PP period because that's they and the coaches are paid to do. Rather, rinse, and repeat meme from last season. I don't feel any PP advantage or net presence (if he actually goes back to crashing the net that is since it hasn't been his game for several years now) that Iggy brings in any way outweighs the combined fact that he isn't good at puck possession, isn't a great passer, doesn't have great stick handling skills, doesn't backcheck, and doesn't PK, he can not be trusted in all 3 zones, and I'm not even convinced he keeps up with the Hawks speed at this juncture.
