Batherson accepts six-year Senators contract

Drake Batherson signed a six-year, $ 29.85 million contract with the Ottawa Senators on Friday. The deal has an average annual value of $ 4.975 million.

The 23-year-old forward, who was a compensated free agent, set a career-high NHL score with 34 points (17 goals, 17 assists) in 56 games with the Senators last season. He was tied for second with the Senators in goals, behind the forward Connor brown (21), and his five power-play goals tied him for second, behind the forward Josh norris (6).

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“Drake is an important part of our attack going forward,” said Managing Director Pierre Dorion. “Since his first professional season, he has progressed steadily and is now recognized as a true first line winger throughout the NHL. He’s good both ways of the ice, he’s a key player on the power play and we expect him to be a top player for us in the years to come. « 

Selected by Ottawa in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft, Batherson had 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists) in 99 regular season games with the Senators.

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Dorion will now have to deal with another important file, as the striker Brady Tkachuk, the Senators’ leading scorer last season (36), is still a compensated free agent.