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OK, so that wasn’t the time for hellos.

But this could be the time for goodbyes.

And thank-yous.

It’s not far-fetched to think that Wednesday’s clash between the Flames and Colorado Avalanche (8 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet 960 The Fan) could mark Iginla’s last spin at the Saddledome, a place where you still spot hundreds of No. 12 jerseys every night, even though it’s been nearly four years since the smiling sharpshooter left town.

Iginla is in the final season of a three-year pact with the Avalanche, and his next birthday will be the big 4-0.

It’s certainly possible this, his 20th campaign on hockey’s biggest stage, will be his last.

The Avalanche are back in Calgary in late March, but Colorado’s struggling cast has sunk to the bottom of the overall standings and Iginla will likely tear up his no-trade clause to join a contender for a Stanley Cup quest.

The Flames’ dance-card after the Feb. 28 trade deadline includes home dates against a handful of championship hopefuls. But what if Iginla’s next employer — if he is moved — has already paid its annual visit(s) to the Saddledome?

What if Wednesday is, indeed, his final rip around the rink where he made so many memories, scored so many goals and earned so many ovations?

Iginla even admitted after Tuesday’s practice that it’s a possibility.

“He’s definitely a guy that when you’re older, you look back and you tell your kids that you played with him. He’s that type of player. He’s a Hall-of-Fame player,” said Flames defenceman Mark Giordano, Iginla’s teammate for seven seasons and his successor as Captain Calgary. “It was a treat to play with him, it really was. And the thing that comes to mind now, playing against him a few times too, is that he’s ultra competitive. It doesn’t matter if you’re a good friend of his or whatever — he gets out there and he competes. Even last game (a Dec. 27 contest in Colorado), you could still see that passion there. So I could be wrong, but I don’t think it’s gonna be his last go here.