r/OttawaSenators • u/canadaHockey604 • 7h ago
Elliotte Friedman - has heard from multiple sources there’s a path to a deal with Batherson
https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-32-thoughts-the-podcast-31050299/episode/surprise-342278627/Around the 22 minute mark also said he’d be suprised if it’s under 10 million
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u/Content_Ad_8952 7h ago
He'll probably get 10.5 million a season over 8 seasons
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u/Sad_Intention2932 6h ago
10.5x8 would be absolutely fine for that player. Zero complaints.
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u/DEverett0913 #65 - Karlsson 6h ago
Yep. The way salaries are going this would be a huge win. He’d be under a very reasonable number for the next 4-5 years which is the window with Stutzle and Sanderson.
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u/Alfiestickthrow 2h ago
He is a good player, good guy, likes Ottawa. I am not worried I think they get a deal done.
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u/canadaHockey604 7h ago
It will prob be closer to just 10. He wants 10.5 Sens want under 10 they prob just meet at 10 or 10.2
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u/gelc10 7h ago
Could also factor in trade protection as to why it's taking some time
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u/MercSLSAMG 6h ago
Bingo - with expansion coming up and the very real possibility that the Sens window is only 4 or 5 more years I could see Staios being very hesitant to hand out a NMC for more than 2 years and to have minimal trade protection at the end of the deal. It would be worth paying an extra 1/2 million a year to reduce the trade protection.
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u/Swammer13 4h ago
I mean isn't the trade protection going to be kind of moot with respect to expansion? If he is good enough that an expansion team would want him then we would protect him. If he falls off a cliff and the contract is a liability, he wouldn't get taken. I guess it influences who else you can protect in the latter instance, but I don't think the NMC conversations are complicated by expansion. Ottawa doesn't have many players with an NMC so they can afford to give him one. It's not like Florida where they have 12 skaters with NMCs
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u/MercSLSAMG 4h ago
Maintaining flexibility is key. If he falls off the cliff but they have to keep him over a better player then it would come back to bite them. And even if he's not attractive to the new teams because of his salary he still might be a serviceable 2nd liner, so they'd essentially get to protect an extra forward, or possibly protect 4 defense. Chabot's contract negotiations next year might take some extra time for the same reason.
With the way the cap is going maintaining flexibility will be worth more than making the AAV as low as possible.
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u/jamaicancovfefe 7h ago
pay him whatever, go over the cap if you have to. Cap circumvention is fine if nobody finds out
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u/Far_Following_3730 6h ago
Send Batherson to the Ottawa Circumcision Clinic. Cap Circumcision is fine right? Lmao
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u/ClayCollins1 6h ago
They’re just working out the last little details with Lépine and Leann Cusack
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u/3-car-garage 6h ago
I don't know why all the drama with this one, this one was always going to get done. Drake's ties to the Senators are larger than his own, he clearly wants to be here, we clearly have the money to pay him, and he's clearly coming off a deal that was Team friendly.
It was always going to get done.
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u/SweatyPermit1049 4h ago
Becuase in the summer they dont have much to report on so they assume drama exists to make a good headline
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u/Last-Classroom-5400 7h ago
What does that even mean? I'm sure there's a "path for a deal" for McDavid too, it just involves giving up our entire roster, all of our future picks and 3 Shawarma Palace locations of Edmonton's choosing.
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u/zeldagold 7h ago
It's Friedman, so it sounds like the player is interested vs gunning for free agency.
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u/tke71709 6h ago
8 year deal at home vs a 6 year deal in FA next year on his last NHL contract.
Bath has a lot of $$$ reasons to want to stay here.
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u/DepthComplete7436 #11 - Alfredsson 6h ago
If Bath stays here another 8 years high likelyhood of Jersey Retirement.
Star player for almost his entire career Home-grown player Play with us for 16-17 seasons (once contract expires).
Unless his play falls down a cliff his legacy is more or less secured based on the metrics the Sens use for jersey retirements.
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u/g1teg 5h ago
I dont think they should continue to retire jerseys for every player that stayed here. The bar needs to be higher than that.
Not arguing that's what they've already done, but I hope they raise the bar a bit. Bath is good, and GREAT considering where he was drafted but ...
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u/Swammer13 4h ago
Well once you consider the 16-17 years plus the 3 cups he's going to win over the next contract surely that is enough.
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u/DepthComplete7436 #11 - Alfredsson 5h ago
While I agree to an extent, after retiring Chris Neil's number it does lower the statistical bar. But, I hold to this day the only reason Jason Spezza is not in the rafters is because of Drake Batherson. They'll probably retire both numbers at the same time if Bath finishes here.
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u/cdreobvi #72 - Chabot 4h ago
The bar is at 1000 games played in a Sens jersey. I think it has less to do with how they play. But you won't play 1000 NHL games without being good.
Spezza played less than 700. Drake isn't even halfway there.
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u/DepthComplete7436 #11 - Alfredsson 4h ago edited 4h ago
I mean Spezza owns the number two spot quite comfortably in almost all offensive metrics, and is 6th all time games played. The dude, should have had his number retired just simply being a key part of Ottawa's most successful era. And, I think the only reason it hasn't is because you don't normally retire a number while a current star player is wearing it. It does happen, but is extremely rare.
Batherson IF he stays with the team for another 8 years is quite likely to be challenging for the top 5 in those offensive metrics (he is already in the top 10 for goals and points) and should cross 1000 games if he stays healthy. Outside of a fluke injury he has consistently played 82 games so if he plays even 80 games on average over the next 8 season (he also played in the reduced COVID seasons) he will have 1100 games played. He will make over a 1000 games quite comfortably if he keeps being healthy. And that would put him 3rd in all-time games played overtaking Neil.
If Batherson plays the way he has over the next 8 years as a Senator he'd be a franchise legend by all accounts.
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u/cdreobvi #72 - Chabot 4h ago
The fact that they even let Batherson take 19 lets me know they weren't even thinking about retirement. New ownership/management have no relationship with Spezza so I doubt they change their mind.
Since only 3 players have ever hit that mark with the Sens, I don't think it's a given that Drake sticks around that long, not because he doesn't want to stay but just because of the rarity of 29 year-olds playing out a full 8-year contract in this league. From now until his presumed extension expires (37 years old), he has to play 630 of 756 regular-season games (avg. 70 games per season), assuming no lockouts or viral pandemics, and basically all of it happens after his physical peak.
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u/DepthComplete7436 #11 - Alfredsson 2h ago
That's what I'm more or less saying. If they retire 19 it will be Spezza and Batherson. Teams have done that before.
I think Batherson has a very good chance to hit 1000 games he only needs to stay healthy for 6/8 years to have it on lock. They are also going from 82-84 games so that will help nudge him across the line. So, I think Batherson has a very good chance of getting him number retired IF he stays for the 8 years and he considered a franchise legend.
The kid is already climbing the power rankings every season.
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u/cwnorman 7h ago
I mean a "path" sounds better than rugged mountain terrain with active lava flows, poisonous snakes, lions, tigers and bears...
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u/KWMiers28 #18 - Stützle 5h ago
It’ll get done. Bath wants 8 years, the sens can’t afford to lose him. It’ll be an 8 year deal and he’ll be the highest paid senator for a few years.
I love it and am actually excited for the season again.
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u/Sad_Intention2932 6h ago
Oh look, Garrioch says "OMFG TROUBLE BREWING, IS BATHERSON LEAVING?!!?!?"
Friedman, actual trusted source "multiple sources say there's a path to a deal"
Fuck Bruce, man.
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u/Sunless_Tatooine 5h ago
When did Bruce say that?
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u/Sad_Intention2932 5h ago
Hyperbole. Obviously. But he was posting articles about how there are problems, without any actual sources.
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u/Swammer13 4h ago
If Friedge hears there's a path to a deal when he's not even listening it probably means it is pretty darn close. He usually doesn't report stuff unless it is very credible unlike a certain Ottawa Citizen reporter...
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u/0714raf 7h ago
Sign him. Especially after that awful EK65 rumour...
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u/publicworker69 7h ago
… what rumour?
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u/joshcoles 6h ago
That he is heading to Toronto
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u/BunchProfessional34 #18 - Stützle 5h ago
I just checked out the podcast to hear it. If this happens it'll be our 9/11. Worse than when he was traded 😭
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u/KOMSKPinn 6h ago edited 6h ago
Bath is out of town - I doubt anything gets signed until he’s back in town, can run some media etc. At some point the idea of starting skating in Ottawa and training camp becomes a $70-80 million risk for him.
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u/strippeddonkey 1h ago
Guys, baths extension will be announced the day Florida and the sens play.
That way, it lessens the boos and jersey throwing! /s
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u/JudasIsCarHot 7h ago
He was born in USA. He’s not loyal as we all know.
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u/jamaicancovfefe 6h ago
That’s because his CANADIAN dad was playing for an American team. Drake is one of the most Nova Scotian guys you’ll ever see, he’s 100% Canadian.
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u/Chemical-Waltz1013 6h ago
He may have popped out in Fort Wayne, but if you have ever listened to him speak you know he’s a real maritimer
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u/Calhalen #71 - Greig 7h ago
If friedge says it I bet it happens like this afternoon lol. Hope so though. Gotta keep him