Shayna Goldman joins The Jeff Marek Show to discuss the Oilers’ vs. Panthers’ thrilling series and how it lived up to being ‘the biggest game in the history of the NHL’.
CALGARY – Craig Conroy completely understands why there’s so much buzz surrounding the possibility the Calgary Flames could draft Tij Iginla.
“Oh ya, I get it,” said the Flames GM.
“I mean Jarome is, no disrespect to anyone else, the greatest player in franchise history, and his son is going to be drafted this year.
“I understand why people talk about it.
“In the end, we’re picking ninth and every year you never know who is prioritizing what, who wants what player, and who will be there at your pick.”
Opinions amongst draft prognosticators vary greatly on the 17-year-old forward, whose 47 goals in 64 games with Kelowna have positioned him to go anywhere from third to 16th in mock drafts.
His six goals and 12 points in seven games at the U18 world championship, which included the gold-medal-winning tally, only served to bolster his stock, which has been rising steadily all season.
The question is not whether he’ll be drafted ahead of where his dad went in 1995 (11th), but whether he lands on the team his father is a special advisor for.
For what it’s worth, the Montreal Canadiens (who pick fifth overall) and the Utah Hockey Club (who pick sixth) both reportedly had dinner with Tij at the combine.
They’re intrigued.
Who wouldn’t be?
Jarome told Sportsnet last week he’d be fine if the Flames picked him, but made it clear he’s excused himself from scouting staff discussions involving his six-foot, 185-pound son.
Conroy said he and Iginla have discussed the situation at length, though.
“For sure, you have to talk about those things,” said Conroy, who also gets to pick 28th on Friday (thanks to the Elias Lindholm trade).
“I know where everybody stands, and everybody’s feelings on it, and I feel comfortable going to the draft with that knowledge, for sure.”
If available, Flames fans are certainly hoping the Hall of Famer’s son is taken by the Flames. Jersey sales would instantly be off the charts.