Before we even have time to digest the Alexei Kovalev *cough*
trade, another gargantuan rumor rears its head.

Jarome Iginla. The 25 year old power forward who broke out last
season with a 52-goal season and was awarded $13 over two years
by the Calgary Flames is potentially on the market and the Rangers
are lined up as suitors.

(BTW, Iginla is the purest case of player development. Calgary
acquired him in the Nieuwendyk deal in 1996, and it took five
years of steady growth in the NHL before he hit stardom last
season. It'd be a shame for Calgary fans to lose him now.)

Is it Possible Financially?

Yes.

As written earlier, Cablevision has recently decided to
sell its Wiz stores, focusing on its core business. Wall Street
reacted favorably to the move.

Their future is more challenging as the YES network takes with
it the Yankees, Nets and soon the Devils.

That means a heightened importance on the Knicks and Rangers. And
while new dollars spent on basketball bring with it a luxury tax,
the Rangers can spend without taxation.

Bringing more interest in the Rangers means Cablevision can hype
its Metro channel in the hope of gaining mainstream acceptance.

What's Equal Value for Iginla?

Tough to say. There are few teams who could swallow $7.5 million
onto next season's payroll without giving up much salary in return.

But his salary alone is palatable because there are bound to be
teams that will free up money this off-season as free agents get
cut from the payroll.

This means that teams like Colorado, New Jersey and others
could step up to the plate with impressive offers.

So New York Is Unlikely to Get Him?

I didn't say that.

Chances are a deal for Iginla will include Turek, as well;
and that's an albatross for Calgary that rivals Messier's presence
on our power play.

At $4 million per season on a long-term contract, where he has
not proven himself to be a top-tier goaltender ... his value
is a negative.

In other words, any team that takes Turek will consider that
to be equal value to trading one of their top prospects.

Think about it - would Colorado want to pay Turek $4 million to
backup Roy, and jettison Aebischer?

Or would the Devils want to pay Turek $4 million to play 10
games as Brodeur's backup?

What are the rumors?

Well, current one in the Calgary papers is Jamie Lundmark,
Dan Blackburn, and Radek Dvorak for Iginla and Turek.

Consider the source, and you'll see this is Calgary's request.
Given his trading history, there is no way Sather will trade
both Blackburn and Lundmark in this deal.

(Caveat: Sather would include both if Calgary includes Drury,
but such ramblings border between unlikely and impossible)

For those that would argue with me, you will likely disagree that
Turek has negative trade value in this deal. Because if you
agree with that, Iginla's trade value becomes a top prospect
(Blackburn or Lundmark), Dvorak and the Rangers picking up
Turek's contract (and affording Iggy's). Not a bad return in
an age driven by economics.

Will it Happen?

Y'know, I think it will.

People forget that Calgary was one of the teams with the biggest
financial problems until Pittsburgh stepped to the forefront recently.

And taking $11.5 million off the books is a pretty big assist,
especially in these uncertain financial times.

I'm on the board - I think Iginla will be wearing a blueshirt
before the trading deadline ends.

-Gabe

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