Battaglia saw his pro rights traded to the New York Rangers in a one-for-one trade with the Calgary Flames for Brennan Othmann at the 2026 NHL Trade deadline. The 19-year-old adds depth on the right wing in the Rangers’ prospect system alongside a recently acquired Liam Greentree. It’s the second trade this season for the teenager after an in-season OHL deal saw him move from the Kingston Frontenacs to the Flint Firebirds in Jan 2025. Battaglia’s production dropped on a stronger roster in Flint, but the winger has still scored at a decent rate (26 goals in 60 games) despite the roster transition in 2025-26.

Getting Battaglia at the end of the 2nd round looked like good value at the time, but now it is looking like theft. The 6-2, 203-lb winger posted just under a point-per-game in the OHL in his draft year and rocketed to 1.32 points-per-game as a D+1 player. Battaglia has an excellent shot — it is hard and accurate — leading to 40 goals in 2024-25. At the time of the pick, Battaglia projected to be a high-octane third-liner who could make an impact — but he’s now shown a ceiling as a top-six winger. Expect Battaglia to spend one more year in the OHL, potentially making a professional appearance at the end of the season.

The Calgary Flames signed Battaglia to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Battaglia is 11th in OHL, scoring 88 points (40 goals and 48 assists) in 65 games during the 2024-25 season (one point behind Kingston Frontenac teammate Tuomas Uronen).

Drafted in the second round (62nd overall) of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.