Drake Batherson and head coach Andrew Campbell now have long-term certainty after Ottawa made its biggest financial commitment ever.
Batherson has agreed to an 8-year extension carrying a $10.75 million AAV, a massive piece of business for the Senators before the new season.
The deal gives Batherson an $86 million total commitment and locks one of Ottawa's most productive forwards into the heart of his prime.
He earned it with a 33-goal, 71-point season across 79 games, giving Ottawa the kind of top-six production that demands serious money.
Batherson also delivered 13 power-play goals, reinforcing his value on a Senators attack built around a core that management clearly believes can contend.
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And this isn't simply another extension. At $10.75 million per season, Batherson moves into a new financial tier for the organization.
Ottawa makes its biggest commitment to Batherson
The timing matters. Batherson's previous contract carried a $4.975 million cap hit through 2026-27, meaning Ottawa has now secured him before another strong season could push his price even higher.
Batherson has produced 364 points through 470 regular-season games over his NHL career. His progression from a fourth-round pick into a cornerstone scorer has now been rewarded accordingly.
The 28-year-old also scored 3 goals in 4 playoff games last season, showing that his offensive role wasn't reduced once the pressure increased.
Ottawa's message is unmistakable. Batherson isn't being treated as a complementary winger anymore. This contract places him among the players expected to drive the Senators' offense for years.
It also creates a major standard inside the locker room. Once a player receives an 8-year commitment at that number, production and playoff impact become part of the expectation every night.
For Campbell, the benefit is clear. He enters the season knowing one of his most dangerous right wingers isn't carrying contract uncertainty into training camp or the regular season.
Batherson now has the security. Ottawa has its scorer. And the Senators have made the biggest long-term bet in franchise history on a player they drafted and developed themselves.
Is Drake Batherson worth $10.75 million per season?
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