NHL rumors: Drake Batherson, Senators still 'far apart' in contract talks

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson remains far from reaching an agreement on a contract extension with the team, according to reports from The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun. Since joining the NHL in 2016, Batherson has played 470 games with Ottawa, extending his stay in the franchise through the 2026-27 season. His current contract expires on July 1, 2024, making him an unrestricted free agent after the expiration of the old Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) in September 2024.

LeBrun explains that Batherson is interested in signing an eight-year deal, but he could also agree to a six or seven-year contract depending on the annual average salary (AAV).

The new CBA, which begins on September 16, 2024, imposes limitations on player re-signings. During the season, a player can sign an eight-year extension, but starting from September 16, the maximum contract length is reduced to seven years. This timing could present a challenge for Batherson if he prefers to avoid negotiating during the season, as he has done in the past to minimize distractions.

For example, Ottawa goaltender Igor Shesterkin followed a similar strategy two years ago and signed with the New York Rangers in December when he initially wanted to negotiate during the season.

Despite his long tenure and strong contributions to the team, with 109 goals and 158 assists in the past four seasons, Batherson's extension talks have remained far apart. Additionally, the return of teammate Brady Tkachuk, who will face his former Senators on October 21, adds another layer of interest to the situation.