Rumor: Is this the end for Jarome Iginla?

The 2-17-18 NHL season is almost a quarter of the way through and, so far, no one has come calling for veteran Jarome Iginla. The 40-year-old former 50 goal scorer waited patiently through the offseason waiting for an NHL offer that never came. He saw former Arizona Coyotes captain Shane Doan retite… but refused to do the same. He saw 45-year-old Jaromir Jagr ink a deal with the Calgary Flames… but still nothing for Iggy.

But… now as we near the 20 game mark for most teams, is Iginla ready to call it quits? After 20 season, 625 goals and 1300 points, could we have seen the last of Iggy in the NHL?

Sportsnet insider Nick Kypreos is reporting that Iginla is still holding out hope for an NHL deal, hopefully by late November. 

“Jarome Iginla wants to resume his NHL career—and not necessarily the one that he also has at the international level. He had some minor surgery that was described to me as maintenance, but he wants to get ready to play.”

But the question is… does anyone want him? Iginla didn’t look great with the Los Angeles Kings late last season after being acquired in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche. But, could injuries to a Cup contender like the Anaheim Ducks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Chicago Blackhawks or Pittsburgh Penguins make Iginla appealing once again?

Stranger things have happened…. stay tuned.