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Iginla saw Penguins-Bruins series as ‘big possibility’ before choosing Pittsburgh

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla #12 of the Pittsburgh Penguins skates against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center on April 25, 2013 in Newark, New Jersey. The Devils defeated the Penguins 3-2. (April 24, 2013 - Source: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images North America)

Jarome Iginla had his choice of being traded to the Boston Bruins or Pittsburgh Penguins. As we all now know, he chose Pittsburgh, even though the Bruins initially thought the opposite.

Now he’ll battle the team he turned down for the right to play in the Stanley Cup finals -- and he’s not surprised by how things turned out.

“I was very fortunate that both teams were interested and I was fortunate that Calgary gave me that chance,” Iginla told the Penguins’ official website. “I chose Pitt. I’m thrilled.

“I know Boston is a great team and it was one of those situations that when I did it, I knew there was a big possibility that we’d be in this situation and here we are. I’m excited about the challenge.”

So far, the Pittsburgh Penguins have gotten exactly what they wanted out of Iginla. He hasn’t been their star player in the postseason, but he’s been a huge contributor with four goals and 12 points in 11 games. That puts him in fourth place among the Penguins, but only one Boston Bruins player has done better.

After missing out on Iginla, the Bruins acquired Jaromir Jagr. He’s struggled in the playoffs, but traditionally has been strong against the team that originally drafted him in 1990. During the 2012 playoffs, Jagr had a goal and seven points to help the Philadelphia Flyers eliminate the Penguins in six games.

Both players will attract a lot of attention in the Eastern Conference finals.

Related:

Iginla: Stanley Cup or no, I’m not retiring

Bruins GM Chiarelli sticks to his guns over Jagr-Iginla debate