Senators Near Record Eight-Year Batherson Extension
Senators Near Record Eight-Year Batherson Extension
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Key Points
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Batherson was selected in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has recorded 149 goals and 364 points in 470 games with Ottawa.
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Batherson is entering the final season of his current contract at a $4.975 million salary, which Article 4 describes as a bargain relative to his production and says the Senators may need to roughly double on his next deal.
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The deadline affects more than contract length: certain signing-bonus percentages also change when the new CBA takes effect, potentially making bonus structure an important part of the negotiations.
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Elliotte Friedman said Batherson may prefer a six- or seven-year agreement depending on the average annual value, while also wanting the negotiations completed before the season rather than continuing during the schedule.
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The urgency is heightened by Brady Tkachuk’s departure, which leaves Batherson as an even more important part of Ottawa’s offense, according to the report.
The Ottawa Senators signed Drake Batherson to an eight-year, $86 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in franchise history Heavy, Yahoo Sports. The deal carries an average annual value of nearly $11 million per year and was completed before the September 15 deadline, when new CBA rules would have limited extensions to seven years maximum.
The extension keeps Batherson under contract through the 2032-33 season The Hockey News. The 26-year-old winger scored 33 goals and 71 points last season and is now locked in as a cornerstone of Ottawa's offense following Brady Tkachuk's departure.
Eight-Year Deal Beats Looming CBA Deadline
The Senators moved fast to secure Batherson before September 15, when new collective bargaining agreement rules shrink the maximum extension length from eight to seven years Yahoo Sports. A shorter deal would have increased Batherson's annual salary demand, making an eight-year agreement more cost-effective for Ottawa long-term. The timing pressure reflects how the market has shifted after recent lucrative deals for young stars like Leo Carlsson and Connor Bedard.
Batherson Becomes Franchise's Highest-Paid Player
At $11 million per year, Batherson surpasses all previous Senators contracts The Hockey News, Heavy. He was earning just $4.975 million in his final contract year, a bargain rate relative to his scoring output. The $86 million total value reflects how rapidly NHL salaries have climbed in recent offseasons.
Ottawa Locks In Core Piece After Tkachuk Exit
Batherson's extension becomes even more crucial with Brady Tkachuk departing the team. The 26-year-old has recorded 149 goals and 364 points across 470 games in an Ottawa uniform The Hockey News. Securing him long-term ensures the Senators maintain offensive firepower while rebuilding around younger talent.
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