In the previous piece, NHLRumors.com looked at two big-name restricted free agents: Cutter Gauthier and Adam Fantilli. Gauthier is making progress, but Fantilli is not. But it is not just about restricted free agents; it’s also about players entering the final year of their deals who have been eligible to sign an extension as of July 1st. Enter Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators.
The new CBA rules apply not only to Gauthier and Fantilli, but especially to Batherson, who, according to reports from Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, is seeking an eight-year extension. Both sides want to get it done and get it working. Batherson told the media he wants this done before camp.
So, since the rules change on September 16th at midnight, the Senators need to strike a deal on September 14th or as early as September 15th so the NHL and Central Registry can review it and ensure the structure is sound.
As Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet said on the 32 Thoughts Podcast, he could see “Batherson getting an eight year extension.” However, as he noted, it is tricky given the structure of the deal.
NHL Rumors: Columbus Blue Jackets, Cutter Gauthier and Drake Batherson
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Kyle Bukauskas: “And I should just ask, like, is anything sinister going on with the Batherson negotiation? Because I mean it was earlier on what late August you’re kind of going there’s a path there. You sounded more optimistic then than now.”
Elliotte Friedman: “I still think there’s a path to a deal there. I just think that, like, there’s nothing that Ottawa has done. Sometimes, Kyle, when a player and team are headed towards a divorce, I don’t get that sense that that’s what the Senators want or what Batherson wants. Like sometimes you hear in the league, “Oh, this guy’s available” or “The player’s unhappy.” I haven’t heard that in this particular case.
Again, we’ll see what happens in the next 24 to 48 hours, and the deadline is midnight Eastern Tuesday night. But I didn’t get a sense that this was something that either side wanted to end. Just the ground has shifted so much, and Batherson’s number from where the summer started to where we are now has gone up like a lot of other players.”
Given what players like Adrian Kempe ($10.625 million AAV), Alex Tuch ($10.5 million), Kyle Connor ($12 million), Martin Necas ($11.5 million AAV), there is a belief Batherson will get a similar AAV. But it will come down to how it is structured given how the rules are changing on contracts.
Cutter Gauthier Contract Talks Progress – But What About Adam Fantilli?
All eyes are on what happened with Drake Batherson and the Ottawa Senators. Many teams are wondering whether, if a deal isn’t reached, he could hit UFA next summer or be traded.
They want to get a deal done, but the clock is ticking.
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