Jackman happy to be a wanted man
Rugged winger signs two-year deal with Calgary
It has been an unsettling couple of days for Tim Jackman.
He was aware that his employers had been entertaining offers for his services. And, at the same time, he was negotiating with said employers for a contract extension.
Lots on his plate, in other words.
“Yeah, it was a stressful day,” the Calgary Flames’ rugged winger was saying before Monday night’s match against the visiting St. Louis Blues. “Had a few phone calls, talking to my agent (Ben Hankinson). I talked to (general manager Jay Feaster) and tried to figure out how everything was going to work out.
“But it is a boost of confidence for me. For one, for (the Flames) to say that they want me . . . and for the other, that teams were interested in me. It feels good.”
It felt even better Monday afternoon when the Flames announced they had signed the 30-year-old to a new deal — a two-year pact worth $612,000 per season.
“Yeah, it’s a big relief,” said Jackman, who is working the final months of a contract that pays him $550,000. “It’s good to know that they want me around and I get to stay in Calgary for two more years. I love playing here.
“It’s a great honour. I’m excited.” No wonder. Jackman, originally drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets, made NHL appearances on behalf of the Phoenix Coyotes, the Los Angeles Kings and the New York Islanders before landing in Calgary in the summer of 2010.
“I’ve been around, bounced around for a few different teams along the way,” said the six-footfour, 210-pounder, who hasn’t missed a game for the Flames — 145 consecutive dates, including Monday’s. “And to finally find a home, it feels really good.”
The feeling is mutual, in no small part because the fourth-liner willingly fights his team’s battles.
Only four players in the National Hockey League have dropped their gloves more times than Jackman, who has 13 taffy-pulls to his credit.
“He’s an important guy in that room,” said Feaster. “A very, very popular teammate. When you have a guy that steps up for his team the way he does . . . .”