Utah's first ever draft pick...Tij Iginla

[Brewin Flames]

Tij Iginla Drafted By Utah Hockey Club At No.6 | NHL Draft Analysis

Tij Iginla was taken No. 6 by the Utah Hockey Club in the 2024 NHL Draft. Here's why.

Jun 28, 2024 by Chris Peters

 

 

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Tig Iginla has elite hands, with quick puck skills and a deadly release. His rise up the draft charts has been fueled by his game improving with each passing month. Iginla has good details off the puck, where he can be disruptive to the opposing team. 

 

He has quickness and while there isn’t a ton of a physical edge to him, he engages with his body. Iginla also developed a goal-scorer’s touch, working to get pucks to the interior and scoring from higher-percentage areas. While he has center capabilities, it seems more likely he will be a wing where he can maximize the offensive tools that are so plainly evident in his game.

 

Expectations are also being tempered a bit on Lindstrom because of the injuries he faced. NHL teams are going to be examining him closely especially since injuries at younger ages are particularly concerning for those that play the heavier, physical game that Lindstrom does. 

 

That said, the upside, especially as Lindstrom continues to grown and can gain experience to mitigate some of the hockey sense concerns, is going to entice teams away from some of those health concerns. If he hits, they could be looking at a top-of-the-lineup winger or solid No. 2 center.

Why The Utah Hockey Club Drafted Tig Iginla At No. 6

Another shock pick here as Utah goes up and gets Tij Iginla despite there being a number of premium defensemen on the board. But when you look at what they're building in Utah and Arizona before it, there's a mix of skill and size. Iginla has good strength, excellent details in his offensive game and he makes plays.

 

On top of that, he is committed physically, gets his stick in lanes and has that work ethic that should make him a solid two-way asset. I think his offense is more geared towards the wing than it would be as a center, but I really like the prospect and think he has a bright future ahead of him. Iginla was No. 12 on FloHockey's final list.