Avalanche’s Iginla almost signed with Lightning

Jarome-Iginla

Colorado Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla considered signing with the Tampa Bay Lightning. (David Zalubowski/AP)

Colorado Avalanche forward Jarome Iginla was nearly a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 37-year-old says he came close to signing with the Lightning prior to inking a three-year, $16-million deal with the Avalanche in the off-season.

“It was close,” Iginla told the Tampa Bay Times. “I knew [the Lightning] were a very good young team, and only getting better. They’ve proved it in how they’ve played the first half.”

Iginla said the decision was “tough” for a number of reasons, one of which was because he had to chose between two former Olympic teammates – Lightning GM Steve Yzerman and Avalanche executive Joe Sakic.

The Edmonton native added that climate was also a factor in his decision.

“A big part of it is it’s closer to home, and what we know,” Iginla explained. “Our kids like hockey, the winter sports and I think that being able to have those for them definitely played a role.”

Iginla has 13 goals, 17 assists and 24 penalty minutes in 45 games with the Avalanche this season.

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