“Calgary’s 2024 selections out of Ontario look terrific thus far, with Battaglia being another player who took a huge step forward this past season. The big winger is such an intelligent player. 

Few players are as good as he is at working the wall in the OHL and he has the playmaking chops to take advantage of the extra time he creates through his protection skill. His pace of play really improved too, although his power and speed will need to continue to improve in order for him to be as dynamic at the higher levels. 

It’s important to note that Battaglia should not be miscast as a power forward, despite his size. Physicality isn’t likely to ever be a huge part of his game; he’s more of a high IQ, finesse player who just happens to have the size to be an asset down low and in the cycle. At this point, Battaglia’s improvement as an offensive player suggests that he could be capable of being a top six support winger for Calgary in the future. 

I guess, to play the devil’s advocate, you’d have to ask yourself how many high end support wingers in the NHL today aren’t competitive physical players? That’s the next step for Battaglia, to truly learn how to use his size to be a consistent difference maker and play creator (both for himself and his teammates).”