After getting called up to Columbus in late March, James Malatesta took a few weeks to get used to the speed of the NHL while he also worked his game into the Pascal Vincent system. But as soon as he did, he seemed to come into his own.
In the season's final six games, "Jimmy" (as he is referred to affectionately by his teammates) posted a 2-2-4 line, 10 SOG, 0 PIM, and had an even plus/minus rating while only playing around 11 minutes a night.
It's safe to say that James quickly became a favorite of the Nationwide Arena nightly crowds due to his small stature, intense (but intelligent) use of physicality, and high-octane style of play.
Malatesta went on to play for a few games in the Calder Cup playoffs with the Cleveland Monsters, where he posted 1-1-2 in 9 games. During the regular season in Cleveland, he posted a 12-10-22 line in 56 games while also putting up 79 PIM and a -4 rating.
James seemed to fit the Monsters' rebrand of "Black and Blue Hockey" in his AHL rookie campaign. I like to call players like him "Spark Plug" guys. They fly off the bench and do something like make a big hit, or perhaps aggressively chase down the puck and cause a key turnover, or use their decent skating skills to motivate the team to put in that extra effort.
Unlike some guys that come up from the CHL with high pedigree or scoring skills, the former QMJHL Playoffs and Memorial Cup MVP seems to enjoy and thrive in this role.
With the recent trade of Patrik Laine from Columbus and open spots on the fourth line beside centerman Sean Kuraly; Malatesta has a real shot at challenging Justin Danforth and Mathieu Olivier for either wing spot heading into the new season.
One bold prediction: James Malatesta will make the NHL opening night roster and will remain at that level for the entire season.
I don't know how necessarily "bold" this take is, but considering the Blue Jackets' wing depth not long ago, saying that James Malatesta would be a roster mainstay may have been surprising. However, with the moves the Jackets have made up to this time in the summer, I don't see any other candidates I'd rather see than Jimmy in the Union Blue come October.