Eight years x $10.75M AAV for Drake Batherson in Ottawa. Major business done by the Senators.
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NHL Notebook: Senators sign Drake Batherson to eight-year extension
Photo credit: Marc DesRosiers-IMAGN Images
Sep 15, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 15, 2026, 15:54 EDT
With the new Competitive Bargaining Agreement kicking in shortly, teams are locking up extension-eligible players to long-term deals.
The new CBA kicks in on Sept. 15 at 10 p.m. MT, meaning that if teams wish to sign extension-eligible players to eight year deals, it has to be done by that time. That’s just what a handful of teams have done in recent times.
On Tuesday morning, it was reported that the Ottawa Senators have extended Drake Batherson to an eight-year deal worth $10.75 million annually.
Batherson was selected in the fourth-round by the Senators in 2017, making his debut in 2018-19. He’s become an important top-six player in the organization over the last few seasons, scoring 17 goals in back-to-back seasons before scoring 20+ goals in each of the last four seasons.
The winger set a new career-high in both goals and points in 2025-26, potting 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games, surpassing his previous best of 28 goals and 68 points. In addition to his regular season, Batherson added three goals and an assist in the Senators’ four playoff games, as they were swept by the eventual Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes.
By signing this contract, Batherson will now be under contract until he’s 37 years old, essentially making him a life-long Senator barring a trade or signing late in his career.
Capitals sign Ryan Leonard to eight-year deal
Another player who signed an eight-year deal is Washington Capitals’ forward Ryan Leonard, who agreed to an eight-year deal with an annual cap hit of $10.5 million.
GOT LENO ON LOCK The Washington Capitals have re-signed forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million contract extension. Leonard’s contract will carry an average annual value of $10.5 million. Full details: washcaps.com/9for8 #ALLCAPS | @Shift4
Leonard was selected eighth overall by the Capitals in the 2023 draft. In his two seasons with Boston College, the winger scored 61 goals and 109 points in 77 games, helping Boston College reach the National Championship Final in 2024, while also winning back-to-back gold medals with Team USA in the 2024 and 2025 World Junior Championship. Leonard was named the tournament MVP in 2025.
Following Boston College’s season in 2024-25, Leonard made his National Hockey League debut to end the season, scoring a goal in nine games played, as well as picking up an assist in eight post-season games.
The 2025-26 season was his rookie season, where he scored 20 goals and 45 points in 75 games with the Capitals. Leonard finished eighth in Calder Trophy voting.
Connor Bedard named Blackhawks captain
To the surprise of no one, the Chicago Blackhawks have named their first overall pick in 2023, Connor Bedard, as the 37th captain in franchise history.
a new letter on the chest, a new chapter ahead ❤️ introducing the 37th 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 of the Chicago Blackhawks, 𝐂onnor Bedard!
Bedard was touted as the league’s next generational player, putting up video-game-esque numbers in his junior career, including 71 goals and 143 points in 57 Western Hockey League games in his draft year.
The Vancouver product has been productive in the National Hockey League, but has yet to break out as one of the game’s best players, partially due to unlucky injuries. In his rookie season, Bedard scored 22 goals and 61 points in 68 games, winning the Calder Trophy that season. In 2024-25, he scored 23 goals and 67 points in 82 games, then set a career-high in 2025-26 with 30 goals and 75 points in 69 games.
Bedard suffered an off-season injury and is set to miss the start of the season. Prior to his injury last season, Bedard was in the top 10 for scoring, showing signs of the promise he had prior to being drafted.
The 21-year-old replaces Nick Foligno as the Blackhawks’ captain, as Foligno was traded to the Minnesota Wild before the 2026 trade deadline. Before Folgino, Jonathan Toews served as the team’s captain from 2008-09 until 2022-23. Other notable captains include Chris Chelios, Doug Gilmour, Darryl Sutter Stan Mikita, and plenty of other franchise legends.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for DFO Calgary, DFO Edmonton, and Blue Jays Nation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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Calgary FlamesTeam Cap Summary
Cap Summary
2027-28
2028-29
Projected Cap Hit
$70,041,666
$51,100,000
Projected Cap Space
$43,458,334
$71,900,000
Current Cap Space
$43,458,334
$71,900,000
Active Players
16/23
8/23
Draft Picks
Round
'27
'28
1
1
1
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2
2
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1