Tij Iginla took the hockey and scouting world by storm during the 2023-24 season. The previous year, he had just 18 points in 48 games on a stacked Seattle Thunderbirds team in his rookie season, and after losing in the Memorial Cup, the Thunderbirds shipped him to his hometown Kelowna Rockets. Iginla was right at home in Kelowna, erupting out of the gate with 13 goals in his first 12 games to move into most first-round draft projections. He finished with 84 points in 64 games and a ninth spot on the NHL Central Scouting list of North American prospects. Tij Iginla may be the feel-good story of this season, but the Montreal Canadiens shouldn't draft him No. 5 overall in the NHL Draft.

The Iginla name may sound familiar because Tij's father is an NHL legend. Jarome Iginla was a six-time NHL All-Star and the Calgary Flames leader in goals, points, and games played. Jarome's place in Flames lore has made Tij Iginla a hot name in Calgary draft rumors. The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Jarome in 2020, making him the fourth black player after Grant Fuhr, Angela James, and Willie O'Ree.

Tij will be one of the top names to watch at this year's draft. His historic lineage will have all the stories written leading up to the draft, but it's important for the Canadiens not to get caught up in the hype. The Canadiens also must evaluate whether they want to pick a defenseman or a forward with the fifth pick. Tij Iginla has the tools to be a good NHLer, but there are plenty of players who the Canadiens should look at over him as the fifth pick.

Tij Iginla won't go this high

tij iginla nhl draft

Iginla will likely go ninth to the Calgary Flames. There are plenty of ties to the organization for Iginla, and it isn't just because his father was a legend there. The general manager is Craig Conroy, who ran shotgun with Jarome for most of his accolades. Conroy knows Iginla's character and has been close with him since he patrolled the Flames' dressing room as a toddler. Iginla is a perfect fit for the Flames organization, both on and off the ice.

There was a lot of smoke around Iginla not being available when the Flames pick arrived. Many pundits, including TSN's NHL draft expert Craig Button, thought Iginla's pedigree, play style, and growth over the past year would get him near the top five. However, Iginla didn't make a good impression on scouts and general managers at the combine. He had a poorer showing than many expected in fitness testing and didn't turn heads during the interviews.

Iginla won't fall much farther than No. 9, considering the upside. It would be inconceivable if the Flames didn't draft him, but even if they don't, the Devils, Sabres, and Flyers would all be great fits after them. Iginla will be an above-average two-way forward at the next level, but he isn't worthy of a top-five pick.

Canadiens have better options

Let's do a mini mock draft to assess the Canadiens' needs. Macklin Celebrini will go first overall to the San Jose Sharks, and despite a growing admiration for Ivan Demidov, the Chicago Blackhawks will likely take Artyom Levshunov. Anton Silayev has been going to the Ducks in mock drafts since the draft order came out, leaving Ivan Demidov and Cayden Lindstrom available to the Columbus Blue Jackets at No. 4.

Regardless of who the Blue Jackets take, the other option will be available to the Canadiens at No. 5. The Canadiens love the idea of taking Lindstrom or Demidov, so it will be a no-brainer if they are available. Any trepidations the Canadiens may have about Demidov were likely put to rest on Monday with the news of Russian prospect Matvei Michkov coming to the NHL.

If the Canadiens don't get lucky and either of these players falls to them at five, they have also had interest in Beckett Sennecke from the OHL. Sennecke has a bit more scoring upside than Iginla, which the Canadiens are looking for.

If the Canadiens don't opt for scoring help or don't like the available players, they may opt for defense. They've had interest in Zeev Buium from the University of Denver and Zayne Parekh from the OHL. The point is that options are available to the Canadiens before they go for Iginla, which should mean he doesn't go to the Canadiens at No. 5.

Wherever Tij Iginla lands in the NHL Draft, there will be a great story as he tries to chase his father's legacy, but it won't be with the Montreal Canadiens.