- May 21, 2026
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One of the top players in the nation’s capital has aspirations of staying put and wants to put pen to paper.
When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson explained that he hopes that he and the team can finalize a contract extension prior to training camp.
“It would be nice to get it done before the season and not have the distraction when the games start,” Batherson said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but hopefully it gets done before that… I want to get it done before camp.”
Batherson is heading into the final season of his six-year contract, which he signed in Sept. 2021. That deal has a cap hit of $4.975 million. The 28-year-old noted that he’s made his intentions clear: he wants to stay in Ottawa.
“[General manager Steve Staios] knows I want to be here. We’ll keep moving forward with the talks and hopefully something gets done soon.”
Staios confirmed Batherson’s intentions on Tuesday, with both parties eyeing an extension to be finalized sooner rather than later.
“Drake’s an important player and certainly continue to find a way to make him an Ottawa Senator for a long time,” Staios said. “He wants to be here in Ottawa and we want him here. Those (deals) tend to work out.”
Batherson has been one of the top offensive weapons for the Sens over the past several years. Along with players like Tim Stutzle and former captain Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa has risen back up the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. In 2025-26, Batherson scored a career-high 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games.
Regarding the possibility of becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, Batherson stated that it’s uncharted waters for him, but he’s going to let his representation worry about that.
“It’s my first go-around,” Batherson said. “Being an RFA was a little different the last time. I’ll let my agent work on it.”
In 470 regular-season games in the NHL, Batherson has posted 149 goals and 215 assists for 364 points, with six points in 10 postseason contests.
The Senators’ training camp is set to open on Sept. 16, with the team’s first regular season game coming on Oct. 3 against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
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When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson explained that he hopes that he and the team can finalize a contract extension prior to training camp.
“It would be nice to get it done before the season and not have the distraction when the games start,” Batherson said. “I’m not sure what’s going to happen, but hopefully it gets done before that… I want to get it done before camp.”
Batherson is heading into the final season of his six-year contract, which he signed in Sept. 2021. That deal has a cap hit of $4.975 million. The 28-year-old noted that he’s made his intentions clear: he wants to stay in Ottawa.
“[General manager Steve Staios] knows I want to be here. We’ll keep moving forward with the talks and hopefully something gets done soon.”
Staios confirmed Batherson’s intentions on Tuesday, with both parties eyeing an extension to be finalized sooner rather than later.
“Drake’s an important player and certainly continue to find a way to make him an Ottawa Senator for a long time,” Staios said. “He wants to be here in Ottawa and we want him here. Those (deals) tend to work out.”
Batherson has been one of the top offensive weapons for the Sens over the past several years. Along with players like Tim Stutzle and former captain Brady Tkachuk, Ottawa has risen back up the Eastern Conference, qualifying for the Stanley Cup Playoffs in each of the past two seasons. In 2025-26, Batherson scored a career-high 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games.
Regarding the possibility of becoming an unrestricted free agent next summer, Batherson stated that it’s uncharted waters for him, but he’s going to let his representation worry about that.
“It’s my first go-around,” Batherson said. “Being an RFA was a little different the last time. I’ll let my agent work on it.”
In 470 regular-season games in the NHL, Batherson has posted 149 goals and 215 assists for 364 points, with six points in 10 postseason contests.
The Senators’ training camp is set to open on Sept. 16, with the team’s first regular season game coming on Oct. 3 against the rival Toronto Maple Leafs.
Continue reading...