Between now and the start of camp we will finish our Top 25 Under 25 countdown. Thanks to the 74 readers who submitted ballots in this year’s ranking of Columbus Blue Jackets players and prospects under the age of 25.
#15 James Malatesta
Voting
15th out of 42 eligible players
Writer Rank: 14th
Reader Rank: 15th
Highest Placement: 4th (1 vote)
Most Common Placement: 14th & 15th (10 votes each)
2023 Rank: 18th (+3)
Biography
Birthdate: May 31, 2003
Birthplace: Montreal, Quebec
Height: 5’9″
Weight: 190 lbs
Position: LW
Shoots: Left
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round (133rd overall) in 2021
2023-24 Season
Malatesta had a breakout season in his final year in juniors in 2022-23, scoring 66 points in 55 games in the regular season then following that with 20 points in 18 playoff games as he won QMJHL playoff MVP and led the Quebec Ramparts to the QMJHL and Memorial Cup titles.
The big question entering 2023-24 was how Malatesta would make the transition to the pro game. It’s tough for a 20 year old to play against grown men with experience, and especially when they don’t have prototypical hockey size (Malatesta is listed at 5’9″, though he’s a strong 5’9″).
Malatesta’s scoring was respectable, with 12 goals and 10 assists in 56 games. He earned 79 PIM, demonstrating his physical game. He also earned a late season call-up to Columbus after a wave of injuries and trade deadline departures. He played a fourth line role but managed to score two goals and two assists in 11 games. Upon returning to the Monsters, he added a goal and an assist in 9 playoff games.
2024-25 Outlook
Expect Malatesta to spend the majority of the season in Cleveland again, but it’s possible he’ll be in position to be one of the first call-ups in case of injuries in the forward ranks. He should also have a chance in preseason to play his way into a fourth line role, against players such as Justin Danforth and Mathieu Olivier.