Calgary prospect Jacob Battaglia had a career-best junior season this past year in the OHL, scoring 40 goals and 90 points in 68 games games with a rating of plus-13. His points total was tied for the highest on the Kingston Frontenacs team and 11th-highest in the league.
In the playoffs, he established himself as a playmaker, scoring three goals and 16 points.
The 19-year-old was rewarded with a spot on the OHL Third All-Star Team.
We already know Moncton's Etienne Morin is headed to the Wranglers, and there are similar discussions for Medicine Hat's Andrew Basha and Shawinigan's Matvei Gridin.
Battaglia unfortunately cannot do the same as he is not 20 years old, or has played four seasons in the CHL (Gridin doesn't fit that description either, but he was drafted out of the USHL Muskegon Lumberjacks, not a CHL team).
But the Flames faithful can rest be assured that Battaglia fits the bill for what Calgary are looking for down the line.
As we mentioned, he scores points. League. High. Points.
But he also scores on the special teams: 12 goals. That is tied for 12th in power play goals to go along with his 16 assists.
Calgary has been poor on the man-advantage and if the Mississauga, Ontario native gets the opportunity to join the big boys, he can spark something.
At this point next year, he will be 20 years old and eligible to play for the Wranglers. If he plays the way he does, the current players themselves will be the beneficiaries.
Alternate captain Nazem Kadri just came off this past season scoring a career-best 35 goals.
Given Battaglia's playmaking abilities, it is not unimaginable that we see the 2024 second-rounder churn even more goals out of the veteran centre. That is, if Kadri is not traded before as his contract ends in 2029.
Furthermore, the drop-off in productivity between the Calgary's first and second power play unit is quite noticeable. Centre Mikael Backlund had the fourth-most shots on the team during 5v5 situations, but eighth-most shots while representing the second power play unit.
Perhaps if he had a left-winger like Battaglia feeding him the puck from the half-wall, maybe things would've looked a little different.
Unfortunately, the Swede's contract finishes at the end of next season.
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