Joe Iginla, Edmonton Oil Kings (Edmonton Oil Kings Hockey Club/LA Media)

Joe Iginla – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Logan Horn | Last updated Apr 21, 2026 2:49 PM ET

2025-26 Team: Edmonton Oil Kings & Vancouver Giants
Date of Birth: August 13, 2008
Place of Birth: Lake Country, B.C., Canada
Height: 5-foot-10, Weight: 174 pounds
Shoots: Right
Position: Forward
NHL Draft Eligibility: First Year Eligible

Rankings

NHL Central Scouting – North American Players (200th)

Joe Iginla, son of Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla and younger brother of Utah Mammoth prospect Tij Iginla, is an undersized center prospect aiming to hear his name on draft day in 2026. Joe has a great shot like the rest of his family, but hasn’t been able to tear up the junior level so far, limiting his ultimate potential.

After scoring eight points through nine WHL games to start his draft season with the Edmonton Oil Kings, it looked like Joe was going to be a no-doubt pick by the mid-rounds of the 2026 Draft. However, his scoring dropped off quite significantly, and he was ultimately traded mid-season to the Vancouver Giants.

He’s good at getting open and finding soft spots on the rush, and his shot is solid in the WHL. His off-puck play could use some motion (both in the offensive and defensive zones), and he could stand to play with a bit more physicality.

Joe finished the year with 31 points in 59 total games. 15 of those points were goals which gives some hope, but scoring at a half a point per game rate in the WHL isn’t enough to draw a lot of attention as a prospect.

Joe Iginla – NHL Draft Projection

I’m not particularly confident that Joe is going to be drafted this year, unless the Calgary Flames throw their “Special Advisor to the GM” (Jarome Iginla) a bone and draft his son. It just doesn’t feel like Joe did enough as a draft eligible player to earn a draft pick inside the first five rounds or so. I wouldn’t be surprised if another team took a flyer on him as a sniper who they hope can develop into much more than he has shown.

Quotables

“Joe Iginla is a small right-handed center who plays a clean game and has an elite shot.” – Mick Sandy, Dobber Prospects

“One of Iginla’s best attributes on the ice is the ability to get open for shots. He is able to move around the zone and when the puck hits his stick, he shows little hesitation in getting the puck on net. “ – Adam Kierszenblat, The Hockey News

Strengths

Great shot
Goalscoring instincts

Under Construction- Improvements to Make

Driving play
Play away from the puck

NHL Potential

There’s a lot of dreaming that goes into Joe Iginla’s NHL potential. If he can follow a steep development curve, then Joe could become a bottom six sniper and worker, but the most likely outcome at the pro level is he becomes a career AHLer who scores some nice wristers.

Risk- Reward Analysis

Risk- 5/5, Reward 1.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense- 5/10, Defense – 3/10