Jarome Iginla
Right wing, 6-foot-1, 210 pounds
Iginla turns 39 on July 1 and his 2015-16 statistics reflect his age. His 22 goals were the fewest full-season total since he had just 13 in 1997-98 and his minus-22 rating was worst on the team and by far the worst of his career. Iginla’s 47 points were also his lowest since 1997-98, when he was age 20. Nevertheless, Iginla was second on the team in goals and he reached 20 for the 17th time. The future first-ballot Hall of Famer is still highly effective on the power play — he led the team with 13 goals — and there’s no better person or leader in the locker room. Iginla is a living legend on and off the ice, and his third and final year with the Avalanche next season should be welcomed and appreciated by all. His 611 goals are 16th all-time and just 14 shy of tying Joe Sakic for 15th. Iginla will get there before age 40 — and Sakic, his boss, will celebrate alongside him.
WATCH:
Highlight: Iginla had two goals and three points in a 6-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 3 in Denver. The Avs produced 42 shots and Iginla had four of them.
Lowlight: In the biggest game of the season March 26 against visiting Minnesota, Iginla was pointless and minus-2 in a 4-0 loss that sent the Avs in a downward spiral.
Future: Iginla will enter the final stage of his three-year, $16 million contract in 2016-17. He has a no-trade clause and his family is entrenched in the Denver community. He almost certainly will play his last NHL game in an Avalanche sweater next season.
Mike Chambers: mchambers@denverpost.com or @mikechambers
