As the 2026 Stanley Cup between the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights is tied 2-2, already much speculation about the offseason for the Utah Mammoth has occurred. This includes both free agency and big trades that could occur. For the the Mammoth, one name that they could trade has consistently come up in potential big trades is Tij Iginla. As attractive as a trade could be- whether that be for Sebastian Cossa, Dylan Larkin, or even someone else, Iginla should be considered untouchable.
Tij Iginla Has Enormous Potential
Jarome Iginla, the father or Tij, had quite an amazing career. Jarome, a six-time NHL All-Star, led the league in goals twice, and finished first in Calgary Flames franchise history in goals, points, and games played. The Hall of Famer played for the Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and finally, the Los Angeles Kings- ending his career with a total of 625 goals, 675 assists, and a total of 1,300 points.
Jarome's success doesn't mean that Tij is going to be the next superstar of the NHL. However, it does mean that he was taught well by one the best people you can be taught by- a Hall of Famer. Tij hype isn't all because of his father at all, as Tij was selected in sixth overall in the first round of the 2024 draft and has already flashed amazing potential in the WHL for the Kelowna Rockets.
In three seasons, the 19-year-old has had some impressive stats in the WHL:
2023-24: 64 GP, 47 G, 37 A, 84 PTS, 17 +/-
2024-25: 21 GP, 14 G, 18 A, 32 PTS, 18 +/-
2025-26: 49 GP, 41 G, 49 A, 90 PTS, 47 +/-
Iginla clearly shows that he is a big goal-scorer, but better yet, in only 49 games in the 2025-26 season, he also showed that he can stack assists, as he had 49 assists with 41 goals (90 PTS). The amount of points, goals, and assists that Iginla has somehow managed to get in the WHL shows how much potential he has offensively for Utah.
Utah Needs Such Offense
The ETA on Iginla reached the NHL is unknown, but it wouldn't be very surprising to see Iginla in Utah as soon as the 2026-27 season. Of course, it could take time- and probably will, for a 20-year-old (age for next season) to become an offensive cornerstone. But one thing is for sure, Clayton Keller needs help offensively. Even though many players managed to stack goals, Keller was by far the only player who could really stack assists.
It seems like Iginla has the capability to score goals and add assists, and it seems like Iginla has the potential to be the best offensive player the Mammoth have in the future.
Even if his name comes up in trade talks, unless Utah is trading for a player like Auston Matthews, Iginla needs to remain in Utah.
The offensive numbers their former first rounder is putting up are huge, and Iginla needs to be seen as one of the Mammoth's best prospects they have.
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