Flames seriously considered bringing Iginla back to Calgary last year

Aug 1 2018, 12:59 am

Jarome Iginla’s playing career came to an end, officially, on Monday.

It was a nice way to put a bow on Iginla’s outstanding career, doing so with some fanfare at a press conference back at the Saddledome in Calgary.

But as we found out from former President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke, Iggy’s career nearly ended on the ice with the Flames.

Burke said the Flames had “long talks” about bringing Iginla back for a farewell season last summer, but ultimately chose Jaromir Jagr instead. Jagr appeared in just 22 games with Calgary before heading back to the Czech Republic.

Burke has a long history with repatriating franchise stars, bringing Trevor Linden back to Vancouver in 2001 and Teemu Selanne back to Anaheim in 2005.

Iginla never found another team, sitting out the 2017-18 season before calling it a career.

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