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Ottawa Senators Not Close to Signing Drake Batherson Long-Term
2 Aug
Summary
- Contract talks between Drake Batherson and the Senators are not progressing.
- Batherson is seeking a contract worth $10-11 million annually.
- Adrian Kempe's recent deal is being used as a comparable by Batherson's camp.
The Ottawa Senators are reportedly not close to an agreement on a contract extension for forward Drake Batherson. As Batherson enters the final season of his six-year contract, league executives anticipate he could seek an annual salary of $10 million to $11 million on the open market. Discussions have begun between Batherson's representatives and the Senators, but sources indicate a significant gap remains.
Batherson's camp is reportedly referencing Adrian Kempe's recent eight-year, $85 million extension with the Los Angeles Kings, which pays $10.625 million annually. Concerns also exist regarding the Senators' historical reluctance to include signing bonuses, a feature often present in modern contracts that might sway Batherson towards free agency.
Selected 121st overall in the 2017 NHL Draft, Batherson has played his entire career with the Senators. He recorded career highs last season with 33 goals and 71 points, contributing significantly to the team's offense. In 479 career regular season games, he has amassed 149 goals and 215 assists for 364 points.
