Drake Batherson signed the largest contract in Ottawa Senators history on Tuesday, an eight-year, $86 million extension. Then he sat down with reporters and immediately brought up the one detail – about Sidney Crosby – he clearly wasn’t comfortable with.
The deal carries an average annual value of $10.75 million, kicking in for the 2027-28 season and running through 2034-35. It includes $30 million in signing bonuses, a full no-move clause for the first four years and a no-trade clause for the final four.
Batherson on Sidney Crosby
Ottawa had until Tuesday night to get it done, since the NHL’s new collective bargaining agreement took effect Wednesday and dropped the maximum term on an extension from eight years to seven. The new number also means Batherson will out-earn Sidney Crosby, a friend and longtime idol of his, and he wasn’t about to pretend that sat right with him.
“And I definitely don’t deserve to make more money,” Batherson said, per TSN. “I don’t think I ever thought I’d make this kind of money.”
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The 28-year-old is currently in the final year of a six-year deal that pays him $4.95 million, so the jump is a significant one. He earned it with a career year, posting 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games while leading the Senators with 30 power-play points.
Batherson found out the deal was done on Monday night, in about as low-key a setting as possible. He was barbecuing in Ottawa with teammates Jake Sanderson and Stephen Halliday when his agent called.
“I paid for the steaks yesterday,” Batherson joked.
Batherson’s dream come true
He also made clear what the whole thing means to a player who spent his entire career in one organization after being drafted and developed there.
“My dream was to play one game. It’s hard to believe I’m here where I’m at today,” Batherson said. “The time and work I’ve put in and the passion I have about the game of hockey got me here, and I’m thrilled to be doing what I’m doing. It’s a dream come true.”
The extension keeps another piece of Ottawa’s core locked up following the trade that sent captain Brady Tkachuk to Florida in June. Tim Stützle, Sanderson, Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens and Jordan Spence are all now signed through at least 2029-30 alongside Batherson.
“Drake exemplifies what it is to be an Ottawa Senator,” general manager Steve Staios said in a team release. “He was drafted and developed by our organization and has shown a commitment to wanting to be in Ottawa long term.”
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