Tij Iginla ranked No. 10 overall by Bob McKenzie for 2024 NHL Draft

[Erick Estrada]

I don't think Lindstrom will be available at 9 but if he was I get the feeling Conroy would be running to the podium to make the pick as he and Honzek would make for an interesting line combination of size and skill.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

We need a #1C. Monny and Lindholm are good, but they don't win you cups.

Look at the guys in the finals this year, or Jack Eichel the year before, or Nathan Mackinnon the year before that.

I think that is the reason why the Leafs are a flawed team. Matthews is scoring 70 goals and getting 30 assists. He is an elite goal scorer, but he is more like a winger.

Matthews may need to step up in the playoffs but no team is going to win the Cup with the Leaf's goaltending and defense group which is seriously low on talent. Matthews is the least of the Leafs issues.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Matthews may need to step up in the playoffs but no team is going to win the Cup with the Leaf's goaltending and defense group which is seriously low on talent. Matthews is the least of the Leafs issues.

In the cap era your team will have holes, that's why you pay players 13.5 million to make up for some of those holes.

Vegas won with Adin Hill in net. Colorado with Darcy Kuemper.

Edmonton is in the finals off the back of McDavid. A defence core made up of bums like Nurse, Ceci and Kulak, and Stuart fricken Skinner in net.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Flames don't need to get a #1 centre this draft, if there isn't one available. Yes, this statement does not make sense. Point is, you don't pass on Lindstrom because you don't think he can be a #1 centre. Maybe he will be your #2.


Florida isn't in the finals just because Barkov is their #1. They are in the finals because they have a #2 in Bennett. They have one of the best wingers in the game in Tkachuk. They have a lot of other good pieces too. I love Bennett - I always have. However, Tkachuk is the much more valuable player. If Lindstrom becomes that, you wouldn't be happy? If Tij becomes that, you wouldn't be happy? Tij may end up excelling as a centre next season - he will finally get both the chance to play centre, as well as be given good opportunity to do so. What if he blossoms as a centre? We don't know. Just draft the best player.



I prefer Iginla, hands down, over Lindstrom right now because I see him as the much more dynamic player. I just think that if you are going to not draft Lindstrom ONLY because you view him as a winger vs a centre, or not quite a #1 centre, then that's wrong.


Take the BPA period, regardless of position, and draft premium position only when there is a tie.



Who is the most important player in Florida? Certainly Tkachuk is right up there. It almost doesn't really matter anyway, because no single player will get it done. You just build a core by drafting who you think project having the best NHL careers. If that's Iginla, draft him. If that is Lindstrom, draft him. If that's Parehk, or Silayev, or who knows whom, draft that player.


This draft is going to be fascinating to watch unfold. However, as the picks get made, I won't get too bent out of shape. Whomever the Flames draft is likely to become a top-end player, and the next player added to the future 'core' that this team is building around that includes just Wolf at this time.



There may be existing prospects/young players in the organization already that take enough steps and become a core player, but right now, I see this organization as having a lot of really good supporting pieces that championship teams need, and this is not nothing (hello Oilers until this season). Calgary just needs to draft the best core players to build around at multiple positions.

[dissentowner]

I strongly disagree that Tij Iginla is a better player than Cayden Lindstrom regardless of position on ice.

[Kipper_3434]

Why the shade thrown at Kuemper, guy was a top goalie for 4ish seasons, even with Arizonas defence.

[Royle9]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I strongly disagree that Tij Iginla is a better player than Cayden Lindstrom regardless of position on ice.

Injury concerns tip the scale to Iggy in my mind.
There’s a lot of red flags and if you swing and miss at this draft the Flames are in a very tough spot.

There’s legitimate concern with his back, and far more too it than just “he’s doing great now”

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Royle9

Injury concerns tip the scale to Iggy in my mind.
There’s a lot of red flags and if you swing and miss at this draft the Flames are in a very tough spot.

There’s legitimate concern with his back, and far more too it than just “he’s doing great now”

On the other hand that type of injury could drop a player into their laps that would otherwise go top 5.

It's a risk/reward calc for sure.

[Monahammer]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

I strongly disagree that Tij Iginla is a better player than Cayden Lindstrom regardless of position on ice.

But, why?

Tij is 6 months younger than Cayden. Cayden is 3 or 4 inches taller, and 20ish lbs heavier.

Tij and Cayden had similar production through this year. 1.31 ppg for Tij and 1.43 for Cayden. 0.73 gpg for Tij, 0.84 for Lindstrom. Cayden had the injury to shorten his season. Tij got better over the season and played very strong playoffs and WJC. Tij was starting with a new team this year where Lindstrom grew up in his team, so I tend to lean that the mid season on is more accurate to Tij's potential.

Going back in time is interesting, too. A lot of people say Tij is the riser but IMO Lindstrom was pretty unheralded in the upper echelons of this draft class until the start of this season.
In 22-23 both players played for Canada at the WHC-17; Tij on team red and Lindstrom on team white. Tij had 7 pts in 7 games where Cayden had 4 in 6. White was the better team, Catton dominated this tournament, but Ryder Ritchie and Henry Mews both outproduced Lindstrom.
Lindstrom had the better season in the dub, but there was a lot of talk about how uncomfortable Tij was in seattle.

Going back two years, 21-22, Tij and Cayden played on the same team in the WHL cup, and each posted 3 points in 5 games. Hitman Carson Wetsch outproduced both of them. In season, Cayden played in the CSSHL U17 league for most, moving to the U18 league for a short 4 game stint and only putting up a point. 0 points in 6 whl games.
Conversely, iginla played the whole season in the U18 league, put up 48 points in 32 games, and 26 goals- almost the same amount of points Cayden put up in the U17 league same year. Iginla also played 3 games in the whl and got a point.

Overall, I'd say these players have a very, very similar offensive profile. I personally give the advantage to Iginla- we saw it more directly and more recently in pressure situations, he's younger, and he doesn't have the injury worries.

Outside of size I would struggle identifying an area where Lindstrom is clearly a better player.

[bdubbs]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

But, why?

Tij is 6 months younger than Cayden. Cayden is 3 or 4 inches taller, and 20ish lbs heavier.

Tij and Cayden had similar production through this year. 1.31 ppg for Tij and 1.43 for Cayden. 0.73 gpg for Tij, 0.84 for Lindstrom. Cayden had the injury to shorten his season. Tij got better over the season and played very strong playoffs and WJC. Tij was starting with a new team this year where Lindstrom grew up in his team, so I tend to lean that the mid season on is more accurate to Tij's potential.

Going back in time is interesting, too. A lot of people say Tij is the riser but IMO Lindstrom was pretty unheralded in the upper echelons of this draft class until the start of this season.
In 22-23 both players played for Canada at the WHC-17; Tij on team red and Lindstrom on team white. Tij had 7 pts in 7 games where Cayden had 4 in 6. White was the better team, Catton dominated this tournament, but Ryder Ritchie and Henry Mews both outproduced Lindstrom.
Lindstrom had the better season in the dub, but there was a lot of talk about how uncomfortable Tij was in seattle.

Going back two years, 21-22, Tij and Cayden played on the same team in the WHL cup, and each posted 3 points in 5 games. Hitman Carson Wetsch outproduced both of them. In season, Cayden played in the CSSHL U17 league for most, moving to the U18 league for a short 4 game stint and only putting up a point. 0 points in 6 whl games.
Conversely, iginla played the whole season in the U18 league, put up 48 points in 32 games, and 26 goals- almost the same amount of points Cayden put up in the U17 league same year. Iginla also played 3 games in the whl and got a point.

Overall, I'd say these players have a very, very similar offensive profile. I personally give the advantage to Iginla- we saw it more directly and more recently in pressure situations, he's younger, and he doesn't have the injury worries.

Outside of size I would struggle identifying an area where Lindstrom is clearly a better player.

Seems you did more research than I would've, so I'm thankful for your post and think that I'd prefer Tij over Lindstrom now.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Outside of size I would struggle identifying an area where Lindstrom is clearly a better player.

Size and aggression. Brady Tkachuk isn’t a force on the ice just because he’s 6’4” and 210. He’s a force on the ice because he plays like the guys wearing the other jersey just killed his dog. Lindstrom has that same quality.

[Jay Random]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Size and aggression. Brady Tkachuk isn’t a force on the ice just because he’s 6’4” and 210. He’s a force on the ice because he plays like the guys wearing the other jersey just killed his dog. Lindstrom has that same quality.

On the other hand, that quality can make a career very short – as Micheal Ferland found out.

I'm not sure it's a net plus when a player is already having repeated injury troubles in his teens.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

The combination of speed, motor, IQ and shot have Tij as a higher rated prospect than Lindstrom for me.



Iginla is a driver in my mind - he is always causing things to happen out there, and is a demon on the forecheck too causing a lot of turnovers. I would argue that he is a play-driver, and a fairly good puck distributor. This kid doesn't really have many holes on his game, and he has two aces up his sleeve - his IQ and his shot.



Lindstrom isn't as dynamic for me, and thus I see him as the trigger man more than anything, though he will be incredibly valuable in his own right to any team with his size, speed, shot and mean streak. For instance, on the PP, McKenna is the guy carrying the puck, not Lindstrom. Wish the sample size was larger of course, but I do think this speaks to Lindstrom's skill-set and not just McKenna's generational skill-set.


I don't think you can go wrong picking either one as being a future core piece, but I do prefer Iginla's game and I think he is underrated as a 'franchise piece'. I think his skill set and tools, his age, and other attributes will help him become a franchise-type. Whether he is your teams' top player or just one of them, I do think he will always be a guy who touches a lot of different threads when you speak about the fabric of the game, not to mention his age and his limited playing time the prior season. I see a star, not because of the last name, but because I see a future core piece who is dynamic enough to be the line-driver.

Agree 100%. I'm not hell-bent on us drafting Iginla - I'll be happy with any of the guys in that range - but IMO he is a pretty strong play-driver.

Also, the talk that he will never be a C is crazy. I mean, maybe he will spend his whole career as a winger - time will tell - but watching him play, all the tools are there to be a C. The fact that he played wing as a 17 YO doesn't change that IMO.

[Paulie Walnuts]

If you listen to his interview, he has been a C his entire life.

The reason he wants to go back to his natural position is because as he said those are the players who make the biggest difference on the team. He cited Mackinnon, Corsby and McDavid as guys who drive the play and carry their team, and that is what he wants to do.

If Iginla is available at 9 you have to run up and get him, he is seriously giving off superstar vibes.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by CalgarySames

If the Flames take Iginla at 9, what number does he wear with the club?

I like 11 or 13, so he can go up to the rafters right beside his pops.

(sorry Backlund)

[Fan69]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I like 11 or 13, so he can go up to the rafters right beside his pops.

(sorry Backlund)

Sure glad our expectations arent out if whack. Best player in the draft. Going to he better than celebrini and demidov and levshunov and buium.

[Tbull8]

Originally Posted by Fan69

Sure glad our expectations arent out if whack. Best player in the draft. Going to he better than celebrini and demidov and levshunov and buium.

I think it was a joke

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

If you listen to his interview, he has been a C his entire life.

The reason he wants to go back to his natural position is because as he said those are the players who make the biggest difference on the team. He cited Mackinnon, Corsby and McDavid as guys who drive the play and carry their team, and that is what he wants to do.

If Iginla is available at 9 you have to run up and get him, he is seriously giving off superstar vibes.

And where was he projected before moving to the wing? Second round. He didn't explode offensively until he moved to the wing. I would rather him stay in the wing and possibly become a top end offensive player then go back to C and become a 3rd line C.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

And where was he projected before moving to the wing? Second round. He didn't explode offensively until he moved to the wing. I would rather him stay in the wing and possibly become a top end offensive player then go back to C and become a 3rd line C.

He is 17, he still has time to figure it out.

You are expecting a NHL winger in Necas to flip to C at age 26. I think Iginla has a better shot at being a C than Necas.

[dissentowner]

Originally Posted by Paulie Walnuts

He is 17, he still has time to figure it out.

You are expecting a NHL winger in Necas to flip to C at age 26. I think Iginla has a better shot at being a C than Necas.

Lol, Necas has played centre the majority of his NHL career. You are still trolling me on that?