*Photo from the Ottawa Sun*
In an attempt to lock up the young core for years to come, the Ottawa Senators have finalized a part of the puzzle. The Senators and C Drake Batherson have agreed to a 6 year, $29.85 contract, with a $4.975 million AAV, according to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun. A key part of the Ottawa resurgence is back after being an RFA since the start of free agency.
Last season was the first full season Batherson has spent in the NHL, after spending parts of the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons in the NHL, mostly as an injury call up, playing a total of 43 games across both of those seasons, spending most of his time with the Senators AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.
Ottawa GM Pierre Dorion said "Drake represents an integral component of our future at forward. Dating to his first pro season, he has steadily progressed to the point where he is now widely recognized as a bonafide top line NHL winger. He possesses a strong ability to play at both ends of the ice, is a key powerplay contributor and someone we expect to be a prominent player for us for several years to come."
In his first full NHL season, Batherson experienced a breakout campaign, tallying 17 goals and 17 assists, with a -17 plus/minus in an ATOI of 16:28, suiting up for all 56 regular season games for the Senators. His 17 goals were tied for second best on the team, and was 4th highest in total points, with 34, while spending just 8 minutes in the penalty box.
In his NHL career, spanning 99 regular season games, Batherson has 23 goals and 30 assists to his name, with a -31 plus/minus in an ATOI of 15:39. He has not played in any playoff games, as the Senators have not made the playoffs since the 2016-2017 season, when they lost in the eastern conference finals to the eventual champion Pittsburgh Penguins.
Batherson was chosen with the 121st overall pick, in the 4th round of the 2017 NHL draft by the Senators. Outside of the NHL, he helped team Canada win a gold medal by scoring 7 goals in 7 games during the 2018 IIHF world junior championship in Buffalo. He also has 38 goals and 78 assists in 105 games with Belleville in the AHL.
Now that he is back in the fold, Batherson can set his sights on a new achievement that, if he doesn't get injured during training camp, he will achieve on opening night. When Ottawa opens their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, Batherson is currently lined up to play in career game 100.
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