It’s “Bath-Time”; Batherson Signs Max Deal

With the clock ticking toward a new CBA at 12 Midnight Wednesday, the Ottawa Senators and forward Drake Batherson finally reached a long-awaited agreement on an eight-year contract extension Tuesday morning.

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The deal carries an average annual value of $10.75 million, making the $86M total the richest contract in Senators franchise history.

“You know, whether it’s coming in, saying hi to the security guys, or even the guys that are cleaning the dressing rooms, everyone you know in the city outside of hockey, people I’ve met playing golf with, it’s just felt like home,” Batherson said in a press conference on Tuesday. “Obviously, going into last year, you think about ‘do I want to test the market or do I want to stay here?’ And my mind just kept coming back. I want to get a deal done in Ottawa and play here for as long as I can.”

September 15 marked the final day of the current CBA, which permitted the 28-year-old to receive a maximum eight-year deal. Max contracts under the new CBA are only seven years, provided a player re-signs with his existing team.

Timing is everything for Batherson, especially with the NHL salary cap reportedly rising above $113 million in 2027-28 when the Nova Scotia resident’s contract comes into effect.

The two sides had been working towards a deal all summer.

At the Senators’ charity golf event a week ago, Batherson said that it would be nice to get the deal done before the season and not have that distraction.

“I think it was more just getting it out of the way before the season started. I just wanted a clear mind and just focus on winning hockey games, not have any outside distractions about how my contracts would look or anything.” Batherson said. “I just wanted to get it done, coming to the rink every day, and just focus clearly on winning hockey games for this team.”

In a team media release, Senators general manager Steve Staios said, “Drake exemplifies what it is to be an Ottawa Senator. He was drafted and developed by our organization
and has shown a commitment to wanting to be in Ottawa long term. We view him as a key part of our core group.”

A late-bloomer, Batherson was passed over in two NHL Entry Drafts, prior to the Senators selecting him 121st overall in 2017. Heading into his ninth pro season and seventh full campaign with Ottawa, Batherson has increased his point totals each year with the club.

The Canadian World Junior and World Championship gold medalist eclipsed 30-goal and 70-point plateaus last season, registering 33 and 71, respectively. Batherson also led the Senators, notching three goals and one assist in four playoff games.