If you stray even a few millimeters off the official Magic card size, it can result in disqualification at sanctioned events or suspicion of cheating
Rise of the Floodborn added a unique card strategy with bouncing Merlins different shapeshifted forms back from your hand (especially Merlin: Goat), gaining their powerful played abilities over and over again
In theory, red might be able to make a card that damages the opponent based on cards in hand with an out that lets the opponent discard cards
Add in being able to get it into play easily via several graveyard strategies and Citadel is an easy inclusion
You can call it canon at any time because thats what the multiverse implies, but at the same time those promotional cards were just card styles and not actual standalone cards like the Street Fighter or Walking Dead Secret Lairs
Its always best to verify a card before you buy or sell it, especially if its a high-value rare