On a different page

I didn't think I would ask this, but are Jarome Iginla and the Calgary Flames on the same page?

It is a question that could produce an answer with a heavy weight attached to it.

No it's not about whether Jarome should be traded and foregoing a chance to end his career in Calgary. That decision will be made by Jarome and Jarome alone so I am told. Unless he goes to ownership and asks to move, forget it. If he does, or has, expect it.

It is rather about if Iginla and the current coach-management staff led by Brent Sutter and Jay Feaster can make it work.

Sutter said Friday it's about players getting older conforming to a changing team role: Putting team goals ahead of personal accomplishment.

Coincidentally, the Flames are in Detroit where Steve Yzerman did exactly that and won with a very talented team.

The Flames don't have that luxury of depth and offence. No one knows that better than Jarome. As such, while he acknowledges Yzerman's history, the Flames captain suggests these circumstances are different. He's right. Then again he is perhaps wrong as well.

The Flames desperately need him to be the old Iginla. Yet, some believe those days are waning. Age is a nasty thing, while Jarome's intentions are good, previous results are at best unpredictable; maybe unattainable.

That is where Brent Sutter's demand's -- and let's not sugarcoat it, they are indeed that -- may not be met. You get the feeling Sutter thinks Iginla's value will not diminish if he commits to the team's defence-first concept. In Sutter's words "the only way our team can play."

Yet you can tell in Iginla's eyes he doesn't quite see it that way.

How this plays out? I'm not sure. It is however a drama that is gripping the Calgary Flames. When the next act is on stage is really anyone's guess.