The Ottawa Senators are nearing an agreement with forward Drake Batherson on an eight-year extension, reports Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.
The average annual value is believed to be between $10.5 million and $11 million, reports Friedman. The contract would be the largest in franchise history. Batherson was set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Batherson tallied a career-high 33 goals and 71 points in 79 games last season. He added three goals and four points in four playoff contests.
The 28-year-old has played his entire eight-season career in Ottawa. Batherson has 149 goals and 364 points in 470 total games. The Senators drafted him 121st overall in 2017.
Batherson is concluding a six-year pact with a $4.975-million cap hit, which he inked in Sept. 2021.
The Senators' highest cap hit this season is Tim Stutzle at $8.35 million. He's signed through 2030-31.
New contract rules that will eliminate eight-year contracts and further restrict the front-loading of deals and signing bonuses are slated to go into effect Wednesday at 12 a.m. ET.
