Ottawa Senators lock up Drake Batherson for 8 years in deal worth $86 million

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson is ready to stay in the nation’s capital for eight more years after signing an $86 million extension.

The club announced the signing on Tuesday morning, locking up the 28-year-old from New Minas, N.S., with an annual salary close to $11 million. 

Last season Batherson became the second player in NHL history to increase his point total in seven straight seasons, ending his eighth season in Ottawa with 33 goals and 71 points. 

“[Drake] was drafted and developed by our organization and has shown a commitment to wanting to be in Ottawa long term,” general manager and president of hockey operations Steve Staios said in a news release. 

Batherson was drafted by the Senators in the fourth round of the 2017 draft. His father Norm was also a hockey player with Ottawa’s AHL affiliate in the 1990s. 

Other offseason headlines for the Senators include captain Brady Tkachuk being traded to Florida, with the Sens using some of the draft pick return to trade for scoring forward William Eklund.

Senators Hall of Famer Daniel Alfredsson is also moving to Toronto to be an associate coach for the Maple Leafs.

Ottawa will play their first game against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Oct. 3, before hosting Philadelphia in their home opener just five days later.