clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2013-2014 Player Report Cards: Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla finally made the decision to join the right team last summer. So how did his stint in black and gold work out?

By Dan.Ryan
Iginla scoring the last goal of the Bruins' season.
Iginla scoring the last goal of the Bruins' season.
Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Jarome Iginla GP G A PTS PPG GWG +/- PIM S% TOI/G
Regular season 78 30 31 61 4 8 +34 47 14.4 18:12
Playoffs 12 5 2 7 2 2 0 12 19.2 18:27
2013-2014 totals 90 35 33 68 6 10 +34 59 16.8 18:19

Imagine if you were told last summer that at the end of the 2013-2014 season, Jarome Iginla would have the fewest goals-scored he's had in a full regular season in nearly 15 years.

"A bust!"

"What a bum!"

"GREAT JOB, PETER CHIARELLI!"

As it turns out, Iginla did have his worst goal-scoring regular season in a decade and a half. However, his "worst" was 30 goals. Not bad for a 36 year old.

The last time Iginla had fewer tallies than the 30 he had this season was back in 1999-2000, when he scored 29. Over the course of his career, Iginla has averaged 34 goals per full season. I guess the point is Iginla's "worst" is still pretty damn good.

And that's what he was for the Bruins this season: pretty damn good. While he didn't quite score as many goals as there are letters in his full legal name, he did what the Bruins brought him in here to do: ride alongside Milan Lucic and David Krejci on the top line and put pucks in the net, especially on the power play.

In the regular season, Iginla:

  • Finished tied with Patrice Bergeron for the team lead in goals with 30
  • Was fifth in power play goals with five and in power play points with 14
  • Finished seventh in the league with eight game-winning goals
Iginla carried his solid play into the postseason as well, leading the team with five goals, finishing second in the NHL in game-winning goals (2) and finishing third on the team in total points (7).

However, like most of the team, Iginla couldn't take advantage of all of his opportunities in the playoffs, hitting three or four posts, most notably missing an open net with Carey Price down and out in Game 7. Shoulda, woulda, coulda...

Other notables from Iginla's season as a Bruin include fighting Zac Rinaldo, a weird running feud with Radko Gudas, and being forced by the heartless Bruins to skate around the ice multiple times after a game ended. Those monsters!

Truthfully, Iginla did what was asked of him: he stayed healthy and scored goals. He loses a few points for slumping a bit in the playoffs (those posts come to mind...again), but he played well. He was consistent, fit in well on the top line, and gave the power play a boost.

It looks like Iginla will, in all likelihood, be back in Boston next season, though his bonus from this year is still causing problems. He was a good fit here last year and is deserving of a good grade.

FINAL GRADE: A-