When a team is a contender, the goal is to find a trade that will immediately help the team succeed in the playoffs, like at the trade deadline. Other times, patience is a virtue. For this trade to materialize, it took the team an entire move. While the Whalers made the trade, the Hurricanes reaped the benefits so many years later.
Bates Battaglia and Josef Vasicek are not two names that you would pair together. Both made their names in the NHL with the Hurricanes, though not many remember that the duo landed in Raleigh together, kind of. In March 1997, during the final months in Hartford, the Whalers traded Mark Janssens to Anaheim for Battaglia and a 4th-round pick in 1998, which became Vasicek a year later.
The trade for Battaglia was a huge win for the Canes, especially in 2002
Battaglia began his career in the Ducks system, drafted by the team in the 6th round in 1994. He committed to Lake Superior State University, wearing an "A" during his junior year. Battaglia also represented the U.S. at the 1995 World Juniors, scoring five points in seven games as the Americans failed to medal. Eventually, Battaglia made the jump to the pros.
After 33 games with the Canes in 1998, Battaglia became a fixture in the lineup the following season. He only got better from there. After 18 points in his sophomore campaign, Battaglia hit double digits in goals for the first time in 1999-00. finishing with 16 goals and 34 points. He also received Selke Trophy votes, finishing 21st and receiving a 2nd-place vote.
Meanwhile, Vasicek took his time developing before turning pro
After being drafted 91st overall in 1998, Vasicek cut his teeth in the OHL, playing two seasons with the Soo Greyhounds after coming to North America from Czechia. After two successful seasons, including captaining the team in 1999-00, Vasicek finally signed his entry-level deal to become a Carolina Hurricane.
Vasicek's rookie campaign in 2000-01 wasn't anything special. After a four-game point streak early in the season, scoring dried up for the young forward. He finished the season with just eight goals and 21 points in 76 games. He didn't receive any votes for the Calder Trophy, but Vasicek was well-positioned to be a key piece the following season.
Both players played big parts during the team's playoff run in 2002
All of this builds into the 2001-02 season. Battaglia put together the only 20-goal campaign of his career, finishing with 21 goals and 46 points, and ranking 5th on the team in both categories. Vasicek improved on his numbers during his sophomore year, scoring 14 goals and 31 points, marking major improvements as the team won the Southeast Division.
Battaglia was 1/3 of one of the best lines in team history, forming the BBC Line with Rod Brind'Amour and Erik Cole. This group made its presence felt during the 2002 Eastern Conference Semifinals. Facing a 3-1 deficit against the Montreal Canadiens and down 3-0 in Game 4, Battaglia and Cole scored in the third period to tie the game before Niclas Wallin capped off the "Molson Miracle".
The team went on to win the next two games, beating Montreal in six games. The BBC Line combined to score 11 of the team's 21 goals in the series, including five goals and 15 points in Games 5 and 6. Battaglia and Cole led the way with four goals each. Battaglia became the first player in team history to score 10 points in a series, adding six assists.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, it was Vasicek and his line that pushed the team into the Stanley Cup Final in Game 6 against Toronto. In overtime, the trio of Vasicek, Jaroslav Svoboda, and Martin Gelinas scored the series-clinching goal. Svoboda provided the pressure, Vasicek made the pass, and Gelinas finished the job.
The futures of Battaglia and Vasicek
After falling in the 2002 Cup Final, Battaglia's time with the Canes didn't last much longer. During the trainwreck of the 2002-03 season, Battaglia was traded on deadline day to the Colorado Avalanche for a young Radim Vrbata. Over his final four seasons, he spent time with the Avalanche, Capitals, and Maple Leafs. In his nine-year NHL career, Battaglia finished with 63 goals and 150 points.
Vasicek stayed in Raleigh for a few more seasons, having a career year in 2003-04 with 19 goals and 45 points. He was limited to 23 games in 2005-06 after suffering a knee injury.. He'll always be remembered as a Stanley Cup champion, playing three games in the 2006 Final. He was traded to Nashville in 2006, but was back with the team a few months later. He left for the KHL in 2008.
Little did the Whalers know that they'd be helping the Hurricanes chase the Stanley Cup when they traded for Bates Battaglia in 1997. Even deeper, they could've never known the pick they received in the same trade would pan out to be a future champion with the team. It was a small deal that snowballed into something historic.