Drake Batherson Extension Standoff in Ottawa Sparks Montreal Canadiens Trade Interest

Drake Batherson is commanding upwards of $10 million to $11 million annually on his next contract, placing the Ottawa Senators in a high-stakes standoff with their top-scoring winger. The 28-year-old forward is entering the final year of his six-year deal, and division rival Montreal Canadiens have surfaced as an aggressive suitor if Ottawa fails to meet his asking price. With the Atlantic Division landscape shifting after Ottawa's earlier roster shakeups, Batherson's contract timeline is rapidly becoming the summer's focal negotiation.

The Story at a Glance

Batherson is extension-eligible and heading into the final season of his $4.975 million annual cap hit, setting the stage for a massive raise following a career-best 71 points (33 goals, 38 assists) in 79 games. While Ottawa management has publicly expressed a strong desire to lock up their homegrown forward, reports indicate negotiations remain far apart on annual value and contract structure.

According to insider Marco D'Amico on The Starr & D'Amico Show, the Montreal Canadiens could target Batherson if the Senators cannot bridge the financial gap. Montreal currently holds roughly $9.78 million in projected cap space for the 2026–27 campaign, giving general manager Kent Hughes enough immediate flexibility to absorb Batherson's current contract in a potential trade.

How the Story Developed

Ottawa drafted Batherson 121st overall in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Draft, steadily developing him into a premier top-six winger who now boasts 149 goals and 215 assists across 470 career games. After posting strong underlying metrics last season—including a 56.0 expected goals percentage and 2.11 points per 60 minutes—his camp has targeted long-term market comparables such as Adrian Kempe's eight-year, $10.625 million annual deal.

Negotiations have encountered hurdles over total salary and signing bonuses, an area where Ottawa has historically been cautious. With former captain Brady Tkachuk already moved to the Florida Panthers earlier this offseason, the Senators face immense pressure to keep their remaining offensive core intact rather than losing another star forward.

Key People and Details

Senators general manager Steve Staios addressed the ongoing talks directly during a recent question-and-answer session with season ticket holders, reaffirming the organization's commitment to finding common ground.

There’s no secret that we want to get Drake Batherson signed. That conversation is ongoing with Drake, and it takes two sides to come to a deal. But there’s been good dialog as we move forward.

Staios also emphasized Batherson's growth and value to the roster as Ottawa looks to maintain competitiveness:

He’s a homegrown talent. It’s a great story. He continues to get better and we feel like we have a very great, strong, contending team with a chance to win. We want him to be a part of it.

Any contract exceeding $8.35 million per season will surpass Tim Stutzle as the highest annual cap hit on Ottawa's roster. Meanwhile, the Senators hold just over $4 million in cap space, while Montreal boasts the draft picks and prospect capital required to execute a significant trade if talks break down completely.

Reaction and Response

Around the league, analysts view Montreal's interest as a natural alignment with their competitive timeline. Adding a 6-foot-3, 220-pound proven goal-scorer alongside Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Ivan Demidov would immediately elevate Montreal's top six.

However, analysts note that executing an intra-division trade presents major hurdles for Ottawa. Moving a 30-goal scorer to a direct rival carries significant risk, meaning Montreal would likely have to pay a substantial premium over non-division suitors if trade talks ever materialize.

What to Watch

Batherson has stated Ottawa feels like home and has expressed openness to remaining long-term. An extension in Ottawa remains the primary objective for both sides before training camp opens. If the financial divide persists into the fall, expect rival front offices—led by Montreal—to test Ottawa's resolve.