Jarome Iginla’s Kings experience, short though it was, rekindled his competitive spirit, and he said Wednesday he intends to keep his Hall of Fame-caliber career going next season. He said he would weigh his options and “wait and see” what offers he receives during the offseason.
Iginla, who will be 40 on opening night next season, will be a free agent July 1.
He didn’t rule out re-signing with the Kings, but acknowledged they might not have an interest in him after acquiring him in a March 1 trade from the Colorado Avalanche. He scored six goals and nine points in 19 games with the Kings, who missed the playoffs for the second time in three seasons.
“Before I want to L.A., it had been a tough year,” Iginla said during a conference call with reporters. “It was tough on everybody in Colorado, so it was 50-50 that I’d keep playing. Going to L.A. was a really good experience. Until the last four, it felt like the games were a big deal.
“It was exciting.”
Iginla said after the Kings’ season-ending loss Sunday to the Ducks that he would like to speak to his family before making a decision, but was leaning toward playing for a 20th season in the NHL. He made his debut with the Calgary Flames as a 19-year-old in 1996-97.
“I would like to keep playing,” Iginla said Wednesday.
Asked whether he’d like to return to the Kings next season, he said, “Oh, for sure. But I don’t know if that’s an option from their point of view. They have to take their time and do their analysis. I did enjoy it there, though. It was great to play for Darryl again. I really enjoyed that part.”
Iginla referred to Darryl Sutter, who coached Iginla when both were with the Flames. The Kings fired Sutter and General Manager Dean Lombardi on Monday. Rob Blake, the Kings’ new GM, said his coaching search would begin immediately.
NEW JOB TITLE
As expected, the Kings retained the services of Michael Futa but gave him a new title as assistant general manager to Blake. Futa had been their vice president of hockey operations and director of player personnel, where he served for three seasons.
Futa was the Kings’ director of amateur scouting from 2007-14. Along with current director of amateur scouting Mark Yannetti, Futa was responsible for drafting Drew Doughty, Kyle Clifford, Alec Martinez, Tanner Pearson and Tyler Toffoli, among others.