Amoroq
10-02-05, 9:01 AM
LINK (http://www.torontosun.com/Sports/Hockey/2005/10/02/1245020-sun.html)
Bates Battaglia will try to jump-start his NHL career with the Toronto Marlies.
Battaglia will join the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate today, where he will study under one of his former NHL coaches, Paul Maurice, on a professional tryout.
"Things didn't go exactly how I had hoped the past two years (before the lockout) and I want to get back on track," Battaglia said last night. "I think (working with Maurice again) was a factor. I'm comfortable with him."
Battaglia had his best NHL season, in 2001-02, with Maurice and the Carolina Hurricanes. That year, Battaglia, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound left winger, had 21 goals and 25 assists in 82 games. The 'Canes advanced to the Stanley Cup final, losing to the Detroit Red Wings, but ousted the Leafs in the Eastern Conference final. In 23 playoff games, Battaglia had 14 points.
But it went downhill for Battaglia from there, as he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and then from Colorado to the Washington Capitals. He lost his touch and was not give a qualifying offer by the Caps in the summer of 2004. Battaglia, a 29-year-old native of Chicago, spent some time with Mississippi of the ECHL during the lockout.
In 485 NHL games, Battaglia has 68 goals and 99 assists. He will get a 25-game look with the Marlies, and if all goes well, could wind up with the Leafs. "He has shown a willingness to get back to work and rekindle what was once a credible and somewhat productive NHL career," Leafs general manager John Ferguson said
Bates Battaglia will try to jump-start his NHL career with the Toronto Marlies.
Battaglia will join the Maple Leafs' AHL affiliate today, where he will study under one of his former NHL coaches, Paul Maurice, on a professional tryout.
"Things didn't go exactly how I had hoped the past two years (before the lockout) and I want to get back on track," Battaglia said last night. "I think (working with Maurice again) was a factor. I'm comfortable with him."
Battaglia had his best NHL season, in 2001-02, with Maurice and the Carolina Hurricanes. That year, Battaglia, a 6-foot-2, 205-pound left winger, had 21 goals and 25 assists in 82 games. The 'Canes advanced to the Stanley Cup final, losing to the Detroit Red Wings, but ousted the Leafs in the Eastern Conference final. In 23 playoff games, Battaglia had 14 points.
But it went downhill for Battaglia from there, as he was traded to the Colorado Avalanche and then from Colorado to the Washington Capitals. He lost his touch and was not give a qualifying offer by the Caps in the summer of 2004. Battaglia, a 29-year-old native of Chicago, spent some time with Mississippi of the ECHL during the lockout.
In 485 NHL games, Battaglia has 68 goals and 99 assists. He will get a 25-game look with the Marlies, and if all goes well, could wind up with the Leafs. "He has shown a willingness to get back to work and rekindle what was once a credible and somewhat productive NHL career," Leafs general manager John Ferguson said