The 2026-2027 season will be a big year for the first pick in franchise history. Tij Iginla is looking to make the Mammoth roster and show that he can play up with the big boys in the NHL. The young winger looks to push for a spot even though the roster doesn't show there is a spot for him or any of the young forwards right now. General manager Bill Armstrong has mentioned that he wants the young guys to compete and force his hand to put them on the roster.
So, what if Iginla shows off and forces Bill Armstrong's hand? Where does he slot in? Who gets bumped? What if he does so well that he is considered for the Calder Trophy? The biggest honor given to a rookie player?
Could Tij Iginla Compete for the Calder Trophy?
Iginla is a shifty player. Great with the puck on his stick and can make some defensemen look like fools. Last season with the Kelowna Rockets, Iginla was nearly two points per game. Putting up 90 points in 48 games. He is ready for the next step. He looks healthy and ready to contribute. With the roster looking deep, Tij could push for some 3rd-4th line time at the beginning of the season. Michael Carcone and Kailer Yamamoto are on the roster.
They feel like gap fillers until the younger players become ready to make the roster. He could slide in and make it so one of those guys is sitting in the suite watching the game. Where he looks to be ideal is on the second line with Logan Cooley and Dylan Guenther. With Iginla's finesse, Guenther's deadly shot, and Cooley's speed, that could be a line that will give coaches fits to scheme against.
With this year not having a standout favorite from the start, the Calder Trophy could be up for grabs. Currently, Porter Martone and Gavin McKenna are the top two with +260 and +280 according to FanDuel. Iginla has the 11th-best odds at +4500.
This could have a few factors into it. The biggest being how much Iginla gets on the ice in Utah. If he comes in and impresses, his odds will jump up quickly. If he struggles out of the gate, he will be down in Tucson growing his skills against players at NHL speed.
I'm optimistic that Iginla will make the team from the start. He looks to be just as good, maybe better, than his dad was. There will be many nights that we will see him find the back of the net. There will be nights he struggles. But this coaching staff develops their players well. If he comes in and finds that chemistry quickly, takes the league by storm. We will see his name in the conversation for the Calder Trophy.
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