Staios: 'No truth' to Batherson trade rumours, working to sign Giroux
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Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios firmly denied Friday that the team has been involved in trade talks regarding forward Drake Batherson.
“There’s no truth to that.” Staios said at the team's alumni golf tournament, adding he did contact Batherson regarding the reports. “Drake didn’t seem concerned at all. Talked to him mostly about his training and how he’s going to approach the summer.”
Citing three league sources, Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reported earlier this week that the Senators were receiving calls on Batherson, though he noted Senators were expected to cautious in moving the winger.
Garrioch added that Batherson's name was floated at the trade deadline before the Senators eventually elected shake up their roster by moving Josh Norris to the Buffalo Sabres in a deal for Dylan Cozens. He also wrote that some in the organization have become frustrated with Batherson's lack of consistency, but finding an upgrade is likely to be a costly proposition whether via trade or on the free-agent market.
Batherson posted 26 goals and 68 points in 82 games this season, marking the third straight year he topped the 20-goal mark. He struggled on the scoreboard in the playoffs, posting one goal and one assist in six games as the Senators were eliminated in the first round by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 27-year-old winger remains signed through the 2026-27 season at a cap hit of $4.975 million. The deal does not include any trade protection.
Senators working to sign Giroux
Staios confirmed Friday that the Senators are working to sign unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux ahead of July 1.
“It takes two sides….There’s good dialogue between both sides and think we want to find some common ground,” Staios said.
The 37-year-old centre scored 15 goals and posted 50 points in 81 games this season. He added one goal and five points in six playoff games after Ottawa reached the postseason for the first time since 2017.
Giroux was in the final season of a three-year, $19.5 million deal, which carried a cap hit of $6.5 million.
After surveying league executives, Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch writes "Giroux’s next deal should have a base salary in the $3 million range plus achievable bonuses that could allow him to make between $4.5-to-$5 million."
According to league executives surveyed by Garrioch, the Montreal Canadiens would be among the interested suitors.
Speaking at the team's end-of-season availabilities after the Senators were knocked out of the playoffs in six games by the Leafs, Giroux affirmed his interest in staying in Ottawa.
"I love the players, the fans, the city. This year was the most fun I've had in a few years, coming to the rink was a lot of fun," he said.
Giroux, who has 365 goals and 1,116 points in 1,263 career games split between the Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers and Senators, noted that he may be able to continue playing beyond the 2025-26 season.
"I feel like I have a lot left in the tank. It's going to be a big summer for me, and all my teammates too," Giroux said. "We had a little taste of it - playoff hockey - how it feels, how fun it is, and when you have that little taste you want to get back into it."