Ottawa Locks in Drake Batherson with Record-Breaking Eight-Year Deal
The Ottawa Senators have signed forward Drake Batherson to an eight-year, $86 million contract extension, making it the most lucrative deal in franchise history. The agreement, valued at $10.75 million per year, secures the 28-year-old winger through age 37 and includes $30 million in signing bonuses, a structural shift for the club. The deal was finalized just hours before the current collective bargaining agreement expired, allowing the team to utilize the eight-year maximum term before new rules limit extensions to seven years. Batherson, who posted career highs with 33 goals and 71 points last season, replaces Brady Tkachuk as the team's top scorer. This move signals Ottawa's intent to build a contender around its core group, including Tim Stützle and Dylan Cozens, rather than pursuing a rebuild.