Drake Batherson witnessed his sister, Mae hoist the PWHL Walter Cup as a member of the Minnesota Frost, this season the 27-year-old would like nothing better than to do the same for his Ottawa Senators. However, Batherson’s start to the 2025-26 NHL campaign will have to wait a few more days. The Ottawa Senators right winger confirmed to assembled media including Hockey HotStove, he will miss the season-opener Thursday in Tampa Bay.
Batherson left practice September 23rd in Ottawa, stating he “pulled something.” After undergoing an MRI, it was determined he would miss a minimum of two weeks.
“It was weird. Yeah, I mean, it was nothing too crazy. I was just skating, and didn’t feel good after. I got an MRI, and something was wrong, so, but feeling a lot bette and excited to get back out there, watching, but it’s nice to be around the team,” Batherson said post-practice Wednesday.
It was Batherson’s first skate with the Senators main group since his injury, rotating on two lines; one on the right side of Brady Tkachuk/Tim Stützle; the second on the right of David Perron/Dylan Cozens.
Though Batherson’s 271 regular season consecutive-game streak will come to an end, his first since sustaining a high ankle sprain versus the Buffalo Sabres January 26, 2022, there’s some good news with the declaration he’s hopeful to see action either Saturday in Sunrise against the Panthers or at worst, Thanksgiving Monday at home when the Senators face the Nashville Predators.
Consistency is key for Batherson
When he does get on the ice, the Senators 2017 121st selection’s goal is striving to bring more consistency to his game. Known to produce in bunches, Batherson registered a career high 68 points (26 goals, 42 assists) last season, ending it on a seven-game point streak.
“I think from game 1 to 82, obviously, my job is to produce and help the team win, and be a consistent player at both ends of the ice. So I’m just always looking to focus on that. But I think consistency and do whatever I can to help our team win game,” Batherson noted.
Wanting more
Batherson who spends his summers training in the Halifax area with a group which includes Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, Brad Marchand and fellow Senator Jordan Spence, like his teammates wants nothing more than a return visit to the postseason.
“I think definitely in the first week or two, once you’re out of playoffs, it fuels you to get back there even more, and, you know, win one round, win two rounds, whatever it is,” added the now eight-year veteran who admitted having a tough time viewing other team’s games after being eliminated.
“So I think this year I had a hard time watching than I think in years past, when you’re out of the playoffs, but definitely motivating. I mean, as soon as you get bounced out, it’s not a good feeling, and you want to get back there and chase that Stanley Cup again. So we’re excited. We get to work and do it again.”
“I mean, obviously last year we took a big step in making to the playoffs. And you know, it’s the same recipe, you want to make the playoffs, but at the end of the day, you want to win. So I mean, it’s a hard road to get to the playoffs, and then when you get in there, it’s even harder to win. So everyone’s really hungry, I think last year, making it to the playoffs, gaining that experience, each guy, bringing that into this year, kind of having a recipe of what we got to do. And there’s a lot of hard work that’s got to go into it, but we’re excited for the challenge.”
