Report: A 'Wide Gap' in Senators Extension Talks With Drake Batherson

Drake Batherson is coming off a career-best season, with 33 goals and 71 points. With one year remaining on his six-year deal, he has been eligible for an extension since July 1st. But reports are that he & the Ottawa Senators have a 'wide gap' still in contract talks. 

According to Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Citizen, if he makes it to July 1st next summer (i.e. as an unrestricted free agent), the price tag will be enormous. 

Batherson is expected by league executives to command as much as $10 million to $11 million per year on the open market.

This coming season, he'll be wrapping up the deal that pays him a $4.975 million AAV, so he is looking to more than double his salary. And based on the explosion of contract values this summer, and his consistent production as a scorer and playmaker for Ottawa, it's not unreasonable. 

Over the last four seasons, the now 28-year-old Batherson has notched 109 goals and 267 points in 325 games. And he's only missed a grand total of three games throughout that four-year span. He's also added 47 power play goals over that period.

The two sides have mutual interest in coming to an agreement, "but getting this new contract to a place where both sides are satisfied is viewed as difficult," writes Garrioch.

"While Senators president of hockey operations and GM Steve Staios has opened discussions on an extension, league sources told the Ottawa Citizen they believe the two sides 'aren't close' to an agreement."

The Senators insider suggests that Tim Stutzle's $8.35M and Jake Sanderson's $8.05M AVVs (the team's two best players) are "likely being used as a comparable in negotiations with Batherson by the Senators." 

But of course, the NHL's salary structure is in a whole new world these days, with the cap soaring and Leo Carlsson's $18M AAV sending salaries into the stratosphere.

As Garrioch concludes, "Batherson is keeping his options open at this point. He knows what he can get on the market. In the end, only he can determine if he wants to stay here on a new deal or move on."