Categories
Dans les coulisses

“Parles-tu français? Tij Iginla’s name refuses to die in Montreal

In the 1995 draft, the Dallas Stars drafted Jarome Iginla 11th overall. It was a better decision than trading him six months later to the Flames, but hey.

Almost 30 years later, it’s Jarome’s son, Tij Iginla, who’s in a position to go out early in the NHL draft.

Will he beat his father to 11th overall? It’s an interesting question, since many mock drafts don’t place Iginla in the top-10 in 2024.

But it only takes one team to make it happen.

On this subject, on today’s episode of the 32 Thoughts podcast, Jeff Marek mentioned that he was certain that Tij Iginla would beat his father. In his eyes, he’s a guy who’s going to go out in the top-10.

He even believes that if the Flames want to draft him, they may have to move up. According to the journalist, it’s possible that the Flames will draft Iginla before the ninth spot overall.

The young man, who has no money on the table with his father as to whether he’ll pass him in the draft, could be hard for the Flames to ignore because of his talent, but also because of his name.

(OBOXADSQ || []).push({“cmd”: “addBanner”});

It would be something to see the Flames draft him… but it would also be something to see the Flames ignore him if he’s available.

Not only is Iginla good on the ice, but his background as a “son of” makes him hard to impress. Seeing Nathan MacKinnon come home for lunch when his father was in Denver is nothing to be intimidated by.

But the fact remains that the Flames aren’t the only ones in the running. And if Marek is so certain that the young man will emerge in the top-10 (or even top-8) in a defensemen’s draft, you have to wonder if the Habs, who ideally want a forward at #5, will consider him.

And Marek, on that subject, related that Jason Bukula (Sportsnet) asked Iginla this:

Parlez-tu français?

Earlier this week, The Athletic raised the names of Ivan Demidov, Cayden Lindstrom, Beckett Sennecke and Tij Iginla in the race for the Canadiens’ number-one ranking.

Let’s not forget that the center scored 84 points, including 47 goals, in 64 games in Kelowna this year. Could he be a target for the Habs?

In gusts

– What a tremendous lack of respect.

– Big win for the Sparrows.

– One to watch.

– What is Ken Holland’s future in Edmonton? [TVAS]

– News from yesterday’s boxing match.