Alicia
03-19-2003, 07:53 PM
Ex-Hurricane Battaglia gets breath of fresh air with the Avalanche
By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
Since the trade rumors had swirled for a while, Bates Battaglia
wasn't fazed when the Carolina Hurricanes finally dealt him a week
ago at the trade deadline.
The winger was a little startled to be headed to the Colorado
Avalanche, opening a door that was definitely closed while with
the 'Canes. Battaglia now has a chance to reach the Stanley Cup
Finals for a second consecutive year, if not salvage his own
disappointing season.
"It's a great opportunity for me," said Battaglia, who was traded for
Radim Vrbata. "I had a good time when I was in Carolina, but it's
time to turn the page. It's a new start for me, and I just want to
make the best of it."
The trade was a slight change of pace for general manager Pierre
Lacroix, who is accustomed to making the biggest deal at the trade
deadline. Most people thought he'd go after a big-name scorer this
time. But the Avalanche, who have overcome a slow start (and coaching
change) to challenge Vancouver for the Northwest Division lead, added
only Battaglia and hard-hitting San Jose Sharks defenseman Bryan
Marchment.
Though his five goals and 20 points are way off last year's career-
best 21 goals and 46 points, Battaglia provides offensive depth and
another option with leading scorer Peter Forsberg bothered by a sore
leg. For now, Battaglia is playing on the Avs' second line with
center Steven Reinprecht and right winger Brian Willsie.
"(The moves) give us a little more size up front," defenseman Rob
Blake said. "We needed Bates because he's a great winger down low who
gets the puck and frees things up, while Marchment's one of the more
feared players in the league. You can always use that on the point."
Battaglia hopes the change of venue can correct what went wrong this
season in Carolina. Latent fatigue from last spring's surprising run
to the Finals is the oft-mentioned factor in his and the 'Canes' free-
fall, but the six-year veteran said his former team cited injuries
and bad breaks, both of which eluded them a year ago.
"I think if we could narrow it down to one thing, we could have fixed
it," Battaglia said. "It was just an all-around tough season."
And while Battaglia isn't necessarily seeking more goals as
consolation for his own struggles, he said something about the Avs
suits his style. He had an assist in his first Colorado game Thursday
and has steadily earned more ice time by winning battles against the
boards.
That didn't happen much in Carolina this season, so Battaglia and the
Avs view it as a good sign.
"I love what I've seen from Bates," coach Tony Granato said. "He
works hard, he's a competitor and he helps us at that position."
By Gary Graves, USA TODAY
Since the trade rumors had swirled for a while, Bates Battaglia
wasn't fazed when the Carolina Hurricanes finally dealt him a week
ago at the trade deadline.
The winger was a little startled to be headed to the Colorado
Avalanche, opening a door that was definitely closed while with
the 'Canes. Battaglia now has a chance to reach the Stanley Cup
Finals for a second consecutive year, if not salvage his own
disappointing season.
"It's a great opportunity for me," said Battaglia, who was traded for
Radim Vrbata. "I had a good time when I was in Carolina, but it's
time to turn the page. It's a new start for me, and I just want to
make the best of it."
The trade was a slight change of pace for general manager Pierre
Lacroix, who is accustomed to making the biggest deal at the trade
deadline. Most people thought he'd go after a big-name scorer this
time. But the Avalanche, who have overcome a slow start (and coaching
change) to challenge Vancouver for the Northwest Division lead, added
only Battaglia and hard-hitting San Jose Sharks defenseman Bryan
Marchment.
Though his five goals and 20 points are way off last year's career-
best 21 goals and 46 points, Battaglia provides offensive depth and
another option with leading scorer Peter Forsberg bothered by a sore
leg. For now, Battaglia is playing on the Avs' second line with
center Steven Reinprecht and right winger Brian Willsie.
"(The moves) give us a little more size up front," defenseman Rob
Blake said. "We needed Bates because he's a great winger down low who
gets the puck and frees things up, while Marchment's one of the more
feared players in the league. You can always use that on the point."
Battaglia hopes the change of venue can correct what went wrong this
season in Carolina. Latent fatigue from last spring's surprising run
to the Finals is the oft-mentioned factor in his and the 'Canes' free-
fall, but the six-year veteran said his former team cited injuries
and bad breaks, both of which eluded them a year ago.
"I think if we could narrow it down to one thing, we could have fixed
it," Battaglia said. "It was just an all-around tough season."
And while Battaglia isn't necessarily seeking more goals as
consolation for his own struggles, he said something about the Avs
suits his style. He had an assist in his first Colorado game Thursday
and has steadily earned more ice time by winning battles against the
boards.
That didn't happen much in Carolina this season, so Battaglia and the
Avs view it as a good sign.
"I love what I've seen from Bates," coach Tony Granato said. "He
works hard, he's a competitor and he helps us at that position."