from Eric Wilbur of the Boston Globe,
As if the Bruins’ 6-5 loss to the Canadiens weren’t painful enough, blowing a two-goal, third-period lead, and ultimately losing in a dreadful shootout, Boston lost out on their guy by no fault of its own. The Bruins reportedly offered Calgary a package that included defenseman Matt Bartkowski, 19-year-old center Alexander Khokhlachev, and a first-round draft pick. But Iginla has a no-movement clause, and he told Flames GM Jay Feaster that he’d rather play for the Penguins.
The cost? Two college kids and a first-round draft pick.
If anyone should be most frustrated about how things went down Wednesday night, it should be Calgary Flames fans, first and foremost. The Flames reportedly preferred the Boston offer, but bowed to the wishes of their franchise player and took one that paled in comparison. Wasn’t this supposed to be about building for the future instead of patting the guy on the back on his way out the door? Owner Murray Edwards and Feaster are sure to be roasted today north of the border for not getting significant value in return for their franchise player.
Not to mention, why exactly the urgency to make the deal a week before the deadline? If it was a case of them bowing to the athlete’s demands, then maybe Iginla isn’t really the type of dressing room presence the Bruins ultimately want.
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