Drake Batherson wants to finish his career with the Senators, can they get a deal done?

OTTAWA - Sept 8, 2026-- Ottawa Senator Drake Batherson attending the Ottawa Senators Foundation Charity Open in Ottawa Monday. TONY CALDWELL, Postmedia. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Article content

Drake Batherson has made it clear he wants to remain with the Ottawa Senators.

Article content

The Senators have made it clear they want him to stay.

Article content

Article content

The challenge now is bridging the remaining gap and securing a long-term extension for the 28-year-old winger.

Article content

Talks between Steve Staios, the club’s president of hockey operations and general manager, and Batherson’s Toronto-based agent, Paul Capizzano of Quartexx Management, are continuing.

Article content

Article content

“Steve knows I want to be here,” Batherson said before the annual Senators’ Foundation charity tournament on Tuesday at the Rideau View Golf Club. “They’ll keep moving forward with the talks and, hopefully, something gets done here soon.”

Article content

Article content

With a Sept. 15 deadline looming to sign an eight-year extension before the National Hockey League’s new collective bargaining agreement takes effect, time is of the essence.

Article content

The advantage the Senators and Batherson have in this negotiation is that the only place he can get the eight-year deal he covets is with Ottawa. The term limit for re-signings changes to seven years on Sept. 16 and six years as an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2027.

Article content

“Drake is an important player,” Staios said. “We’re certainly going to work on finding a way to make him an Ottawa Senator for a long time.”

Article content

Would the Senators be comfortable going eight years with Batherson?

Article content

“I wouldn’t get into that,” Staios said. “It’s a good question. We continue to try to work to get an agreement done. He wants to be here in Ottawa. We want him here. Typically, those tend to work out.

Article content

Article content

“Until we get there, we’re not there yet. We’ll continue to work on it.”

Article content

Article content

Batherson is entering the final season of a six-year contract worth $4.95 million U.S. annually. The salary cap is on the rise, and the belief is that if Batherson does reach the open market, his salary could eclipse $11 million per year.

Article content

OTTAWA – Sept 8, 2026– Ottawa Senators General Manager Steve Staios talking to reporter Bruce Garrioch while attending the Ottawa Senators Foundation Charity Open in Ottawa Monday. TONY CALDWELL, Postmedia. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia

Article content

Why is the clock is ticking?

Article content

Batherson noted it would be good to have an extension in place before next Tuesday’s deadline.

Article content

He wouldn’t confirm it, but the belief around the league is that if an extension isn’t reached before the season begins, Batherson is likely to play out the final year of his contract and test free agency next summer.

Article content

“I want to get it done before camp,” Batherson said. “Like, I said, I’m not going to get too much into it, I’m going to let my agent handle that. I just hope it gets done.”

Article content

Nobody should ever question Batherson’s commitment to the Senators. He was drafted by the club, was part of the rebuild and wants to be a big piece in the future alongside the likes of Tim Stutzle, Jake Sanderson and Thomas Chabot.

Article content

If you listen to him speak, you get the sense that there should be urgency on the organization’s part to make this happen.