CALGARY, Alberta — Jarome Iginla was the face of the Calgary Flames for much of his 15½ seasons with the team, serving as captain in his last nine. So he was a big deal at the Avalanche’s morning skate Thursday, despite this being his second homecoming at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Iginla, a future Hall of Famer with 564 career goals, . The first-year Avs right winger said he hopes to be more relaxed and focused in Thursday’s game.
“It was fun last time, and every time coming (back) is going to be special, playing here and having great memories and living in the city so long,” Iginla said. “But it’s a little more relaxed (this time), focused a little more on hockey.”
He added: “I enjoy being back and hope it’s going to be a great game.”
Avs forward Alex Tanguay is also a former Flame, and he is making his first regular-season appearance at Calgary since he was traded to Colorado after the 2012-13 season. Tanguay broke into the NHL with the Avalanche in 1999 and was traded to Calgary in 2006. He also played for Montreal and Tampa Bay before returning to Calgary in 2010.
“Nothing but great memories here. Great fans. Great hockey town, great team,” Tanguay said.
The Flames are off to a surprising 16-8-2 start, a turnaround similar to what the Avs enjoyed a year ago. Colorado is 9-11-5 after being 19-6 at this point last season.
“They’re playing good,” Tanguay said of the Flames. “We did the same thing last year when we went from 29th (to second in the Western Conference). You have to put in the work; teams are so evenly matched now, but if you get on a hot streak and get a goalie who’s playing well, you’re doing well in the standings.”
Tanguay will continue to play left wing on Matt Duchene’s line, with right wing Ryan O’Reilly. Iginla will again play right wing with center Nathan MacKinnon and left wing Gabe Landeskog.
The Avs are beginning a two-game, consecutive-night road trip that concludes Friday at Winnipeg.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or twitter.com/mikechambers
