The Ottawa Senators already lost one core member of their forward group, Brady Tkachuk, this offseason, and they’re trying to ensure they don’t lose another in Drake Batherson. The problem, however, is that coming together on a contract extension hasn’t been easy.
According to Senators reporter Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, Batherson is seeking $10-11 million in average annual value on his next deal, and as of right now, he and the Senators aren’t close to an agreement.
“The Ottawa Senators face a significant challenge in trying to keep Drake Batherson from reaching unrestricted free agency next summer.
Batherson, who is entering the final season of a six-year deal worth $4.95 million U.S. annually, is expected by league executives to command as much as $10 million to $11 million per year on the open market. While Senators president of hockey operations and general manager Steve Staios has opened discussions on an extension, league sources told the Ottawa Citizen they believe the two sides “aren’t close” to an agreement. He wants to stay in Ottawa, and the Senators want to keep him, but getting this new contract to a place where both sides are satisfied is viewed as difficult,”
The 28-year-old Batherson is, as Garrioch mentioned, entering the sixth and final year of the six-year, $29.85 million contract extension he signed to stay in Ottawa back in 2021. He tallied 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) in 79 games last season.
While $10-11 million per season sounds rather steep for Batherson, the rising salary cap, along with Leo Carlsson resetting the market, has changed everything, making it a much more reasonable ask than it would have been in years past.
The Senators should have the cap space to get it done, but they’ll have to determine whether they truly view Batherson as a core piece moving forward or more of a secondary scoring threat, because that will ultimately decide whether he’s worth eight figures annually to them on a long-term deal.
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