The Ottawa Senators have made franchise history by signing forward Drake Batherson to an eight-year, $86 million contract extension, cementing the Canadian-born winger as the cornerstone of their future. The deal, announced on September 15, 2026, carries an average annual value of $10.75 million, making it the most lucrative contract in Senators history.
Record-Breaking Senators Contract Details
This landmark Batherson contract extension surpasses the previous franchise record held by Tim Stützle, who signed an eight-year, $66.8 million extension in September 2022. The 28-year-old winger was slated to become a free agent in 2027 before committing his future to Ottawa.
The timing of this signing is particularly significant. The announcement comes just hours before the current collective bargaining agreement expires at 11:59 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Under the existing CBA, NHL players can sign eight-year extensions or seven-year contracts as free agents. The upcoming agreement will reduce maximum contract extensions to seven years and free agent terms to six years.
“Drake has been everything we hoped for when we drafted him in 2017. His commitment to Ottawa and his consistent improvement every season made this an easy decision for our organization. He’s the kind of player you build a franchise around.”
Batherson’s Career-Best Season Performance
Drake Batherson is coming off his finest campaign in the 2025-26 season, recording 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games with the Senators. This remarkable performance marks the seventh consecutive season in which the winger improved on his previous year’s totals, demonstrating consistent growth throughout his career.
The forward also proved his worth in pressure situations, scoring three goals in four playoff games last season. His career totals now stand at 149 goals and 364 points in 470 career NHL games, all with Ottawa. The Senators originally drafted Batherson in the fourth round back in 2017, making this extension a testament to player development.
How Batherson’s Deal Compares to NHL Market
The $10.75 million AAV places Batherson among elite wingers in the NHL. Newly signed Washington Capitals forward Alex Tuch and Los Angeles Kings forward Adrian Kempe served as comparable players in contract negotiations, given their similar production rates at 30-goal and 70-point levels.
Tuch signed for $10.5 million annually while Kempe secured a $10.625 million deal. At $10.75 million per year, Batherson nudges slightly ahead of both comparables without stretching the Senators’ budget beyond reasonable limits. This represents a significant increase from his previous $4.95 million AAV.
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While some may experience sticker shock considering how affordable the rest of the Senators’ core looks by comparison, the deal appears palatable for the franchise’s financial planning. As player contracts continue rising in this new salary-cap era, Batherson was destined for a substantial pay increase.
Senators’ Busy Offseason Roster Transformation
This contract extension represents the latest move in what has been a transformative offseason for the Ottawa Senators. The team made headlines by trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, while simultaneously acquiring William Eklund, André Burakovsky, and Samuel Ersson this summer.
The Senators also re-signed Nick Cousins ahead of the free-agent period, adding depth to their roster. In early July 2026, veteran forward Claude Giroux rejoined the team, bringing experience and leadership to a squad clearly building toward contention.
Batherson has built strong relationships with key players in the Senators’ dressing room, playing a prominent role as the team’s best goal-scoring winger. The question surrounding his future was never if he would sign an extension, but when and for how much.
What This Deal Means for Ottawa’s Future
This franchise-record contract signals the Senators’ commitment to competing at the highest level in the NHL. By locking up Batherson through the 2034-35 season, Ottawa ensures their top goal-scoring threat remains in the nation’s capital for nearly another decade.
For hockey fans in the Latin community across Canada, the Senators continue to build an exciting young core worth watching. The combination of Batherson, Stützle, and their new acquisitions positions Ottawa as a team on the rise in the Eastern Conference.
The fourth-round pick from 2017 has developed into an $86 million franchise cornerstone, showcasing the value of patient development and smart drafting. His seven consecutive seasons of improvement suggest the best may still be ahead for the 28-year-old winger.
With the CBA deadline passing at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2026, the Senators secured their franchise player under the most favorable contract terms available. Ottawa’s training camp begins shortly, where Batherson will join his teammates as the highest-paid player in team history.
How much is Drake Batherson’s new contract worth?
Drake Batherson signed an eight-year, $86 million contract extension with the Ottawa Senators, carrying an average annual value of $10.75 million. This makes it the most lucrative contract in Senators franchise history.
Why did the Senators sign Batherson before the CBA deadline?
The collective bargaining agreement expired at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 15, 2026. Under the old CBA, teams could sign eight-year extensions, while the new agreement limits extensions to seven years. By signing before the deadline, Ottawa secured an extra year on Batherson’s contract.
What were Drake Batherson’s stats last season?
Batherson had a career-best 2025-26 season, recording 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games. He also added three goals in four playoff games. It marked his seventh consecutive season of improvement.
Who held the previous Senators contract record?
Tim Stützle previously held the franchise record with an eight-year, $66.8 million extension signed in September 2022. Batherson’s new deal surpasses that by nearly $20 million in total value.
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