Batherson’s Contract Standoff | Ottawa Senators News

Ottawa Senators News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 4, 2026 · 1m

Drake Batherson’s contract standoff with the Ottawa Senators is heating up as he demands $10.5M–$11M annually, far above teammate Tim Stutzle’s $8.35M—despite Stutzle’s lesser role. With the NHL cap rising and players commanding top dollar, Batherson’s case grows stronger: at 28, he’s a consistent scorer (71 points last season), rivaling Alex Tuch’s elite production and recent $84M deal. The Senators face a tough choice—maintain salary discipline or reward a star who could anchor their rebuild. A potential $8.25M/yr, 8-year deal ($66M total) might bridge the gap, but time is running out…