Drake Batherson has become the highest-paid Ottawa Senator in franchise history, signing an eight-year contract extension worth $86 million on Tuesday.
“My dream was to play one game. It’s hard to believe I’m here where I’m at today,” said Batherson on Tuesday at the Canadian Tire Centre. “The time and work I’ve put in and the passion I have about the game of hockey got me here and I’m thrilled to be doing what I’m doing. It’s a dream come true.”
Batherson found out about the contract extension, which begins in 2027-28 and carries an average annual value of $10.75 million, via his agent on Monday night while barbecuing with teammates Jake Sanderson and Stephen Halliday in Ottawa.
“I paid for the steaks yesterday,” Batherson joked.
The Senators were keen to get the deal done before the new CBA takes effect on Wednesday. The new CBA limits long-term contracts to seven years for players re-signing while under contract, meaning this eight-year extension came down to the wire.
“All along I had faith that it was going to get done. I never questioned it for one minute,” Batherson said about the timing.
“Drake exemplifies what it is to be an Ottawa Senator,” general manager Steve Staios said in a team release. “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.”
Batherson joins a group that includes Sanderson, Tim Stutzle, Shane Pinto and Dylan Cozens as Sens who are signed through at least the end of the 2029-30 season.
The right winger has spent his entire career with the Sens and said this market feels like home, which factored into his decision to sign the long-term contract.
“Ever since 2017 when I walked into development camp, it’s all the same medical guys, equipment guys, still here today. It’s really felt like a family. Whether it’s coming in and saying hi to security guys or even the guys who are cleaning the dressing rooms. Everyone in this city outside of hockey, people I’ve met playing golf with, it’s just felt like home,” Batherson said.
Batherson was drafted in the fourth round (121st overall) by the Senators in 2017. The 28-year-old has been a reliable top-six forward who has steadily increased his point production year after year. Batherson has tallied 149 goals and 364 points in 470 career games.
His most productive season came last year when he scored 33 goals and finished with 71 points, which is more than was expected from a player who was passed over during his first year of draft eligibility in 2016.
“I was talking to my dad about that last night. I had four goals at 17 (years old) in Junior A. I’ve come a long way since then,” Batherson said. “Ultimately, it’s just the sport that I love and always had a passion for. I was going to play here for as long as I could no matter where that took me.”
Batherson, who trains with Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon in Nova Scotia during the off-season, was asked if he ever imagined making more money than Crosby,
“No, and I definitely don’t deserve to make more money,” he said.
Batherson admitted that, entering the off-season, he never expected to be making this much money playing in the NHL. But a rising salary cap and other off-season signings around the league influenced negotiations.
“Once [Kirill] Kaprizov and [Leo] Carlsson started getting paid it just kind of gradually rose for me,” Batherson said. “Ultimately, I just wanted to get a deal done before camp, whatever the number was, and be here with these guys and not have a distraction going into the season.”
The Senators training camp will officially get underway on Thursday.
