Iginla is one of the more intriguing players coming into the draft year out of the West, as I think the range of outcomes for him is wide. It wouldn’t shock me to see him play his way up the 2026 draft board, nor would it surprise me if he went undrafted altogether. Working in his favor is his play in the small areas of the ice. Despite being on the shorter side, he’s stocky and balanced through his lower half, giving him a strong base to work from in battles and net-front forays. His feet are lively, and he uses quick bursts and directional changes to shake coverage and create pockets of space. His hands are controlled and precise, particularly in tight quarters where he manages the puck cleanly and stays composed under pressure. I especially like his poise in baiting overaggression to create avenues to the net. He uses stationary moments like a weapon, inviting pressure before exploiting the space created behind with impressive stick work. True to his bloodline, his instincts as a scorer are innate. He understands how to separate, get his stick free for chances, and manage his timing to emerge in space at the right moment. While he does well to generate chances, however, his execution doesn’t always match the work to gain the opportunity. He needs some refinement in his finishing touch around the net, as currently too many of his shots end up in the goalie’s crest. I’d also like to see Iginla utilize his teammates more effectively. He does well to draw the attention of defenders and create mismatches or missed assignments elsewhere on the ice, but he’s not consistently recognizing or utilizing his teammates in those moments. He had a fine 16-year-old season, but his production never really hit a jumping-off point, and improving his ability to read those layers and distribute the puck earlier would do wonders to increase offensive impact as a dual threat. If he puts up big numbers next year, I think he could be a riser with his skill and scoring instincts, but if the production doesn’t come, I think the concerns about his size and one-dimensional nature become the story.