Detailed, driven, underrated: analyzing new Calgary Flames prospect Jacob Battaglia
By Nick Lacoste
3 days agoThis article is brought to you by bet365.
Among many North American skaters selected by the Calgary Flames in the 2024 NHL Draft, one skater in particular stood out to me: Jacob Battaglia. Battaglia plays for the Kingston Frontenacs of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and has grown into a strong offensive presence, scoring 31 goals and 65 points in 67 games last season.
The Calgary Flames selected Battaglia at pick #62, and while his consolidated ranking (according to EliteProspects) was #77, this is not a “reach,” but much closer to a “steal.” This article will break down Battaglia’s game and NHL upside, shining a light on the exciting potential of this young prospect.
Offence
Battaglia’s offence is centred around his shot. He is able to attack goalie weaknesses and is especially effective on the Power Play (PP). Two keys to his offence are his feet and his head. Specifically, Battaglia does a great job at keeping his feet moving when he has the puck in the Offensive Zone (OZ) which allows him to create space for himself and his teammates. With his notable shot as well as more confidence this past year, Battaglia was beating goaltenders high from distance, scoring both ‘short side’ and ‘far side’ goals this season.
Furthermore to his skillset, Battaglia does a great job at seeing the ice, attacking vulnerable spaces, and trusting his tools to make plays on offence. His execution and effectiveness were much better this year, as a younger version of Battaglia was more prone to turnovers.
“The way that Battaglia produces is what makes him underrated. The way he creates offence (without needing to skate faster or be stronger than his opponents to score) and his attention to detail (particularly on the walls) will separate him from his peers as his career progresses. He has a skillset and game that should easily translate to the pro game.”~ Hockey Industry Executive
Battaglia was also near the top of the OHL in multiple offensive metrics including OZ puck touches, Offence Generating Plays (OGPs), and more. These types of stats can tell us a lot about a player’s offensive impact, as goals and shots are typically caused by actions like puck touches and OGPs. Battaglia’s assertiveness and proactivity in the OZ this year contributed to a successful statistical season.
Battaglia’s transition numbers were also great, where he was in the ~75th percentile of OHL skaters for both entries and exits, and operated as a key piece to Kingston’s offensive generation. Battaglia doesn’t have game-breaking speed, but still demonstrated solid transition numbers. This implies great hockey sense, agility, hands, among other tools that allow him to navigate the ice effectively with a ‘puck possession mentality’.
“[The Flames] are getting a skilled player with a high ceiling (at the next level potentially a top 6 winger who can play on the power play). Right now he has elite puck control both in tight and at full extension. He generates the majority of his offence at 5v5 off the cycle/in the zone using his high IQ and puck protection skills. He also has the ability to make strong wall plays in his own end to allow his team to play fast in transition.”~ Hockey Industry Executive
Jacob Battaglia’s overall offensive and transition impact was in the top ~75th percentile in the OHL, despite being in his 17-year-old season (draft year) and playing in a league that hosts players as old as 20 or 21. As a young player, Battaglia showed growth and confidence this season. There are expectations that he will be a top OHL talent next season.
“Battaglia broke out in the 2023-2024 OHL season but still flew under a lot of fans’ radars. After a slow rookie campaign, Battaglia more than doubled his even-strength point totals in the same number of games, ending the year as a 30 goal scorer and a PPG player. I fully expect Battaglia to continue his growth into next season and become a star in this league.”~ Hockey Industry Executive
Defence
Battaglia, like most wingers, sometimes watches plays on defence as opposed to being directly engaged like a team’s defenceman or centre. However, depending on the defensive system in place and coaching instructions, Battaglia being less involved in the DZ is not a negative for his profile, especially because of the positive transition numbers above and his ability to make good puck plays upon re-gaining possession.
Even still, Battaglia is above-average in defensive metrics including preventing Slot Shots and his individual Defensive Zone (DZ) puck touches. Battaglia’s offence is a clear strength, but his positive DZ metrics can assure fans that he is not a one-dimensional player. Battaglia was closer to an ‘all-around’ player with high-level offence in his 17-year-old OHL season than most of his peers, which is important to note when evaluating Battaglia’s NHL future.
NHL upside
At 6’1” and ~200 pounds, Battaglia’s frame allows for solid body positioning and puck protection opportunities, but there may be a few more years of growth and muscle building for the 18-year-old, which could lead to an evolving play-style that may naturally turn Battaglia into a ‘power forward’. This should not discount the skill that Battaglia possesses, so regardless of his anticipated physical growth, he is a prospect who will play professional hockey, with a high chance of being an impactful forward.
Some NHL play-style comparables for Jacob Battaglia that I have heard from hockey industry executives include:
These comparables echo the combination of skill and frame, projecting Battaglia as a high-level attacking forward in the NHL.
“I see flashes of Jason Robertson in Battaglia’s game. Both highly intelligent goal scorers with elite skillsets having room to grow as skaters and athletes.”~ Hockey Industry Executive
Conclusion
Overall, Flames fans should be excited about Jacob Battaglia. He just turned 18 in March this year, with likely 2+ OHL seasons of development before he turns pro. After almost being a point-per-game player in his draft year with great underlying metrics, there is a high chance that Battaglia’s production continues its upward trajectory, and you may see his name near the top of the OHL scoring leaderboards next year. Jacob Battaglia could be one of the steals of the 2024 NHL Draft at #62.
When asked to describe Jacob Battaglia in 3 words:
“Detailed. Driven. Underrated.”~ Hockey Industry Executive
All the best to Jacob Battaglia.
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