Fresh off signing his eight-year deal, the star winger sat down as a guest this week on The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators Podcast.
Senators winger Drake Batherson sits down this week with "Sens Nation," The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators Podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation just days after signing his massive new eight-year contract extension with the Senators.
Batherson explains why he never seriously doubted a deal would get done, how much it means to know he can focus entirely on hockey, and what it was like to receive roughly 250 congratulatory texts after the news became official.
He also talks about calling his parents, celebrating with his teammates, and temporarily moving in with Jake Sanderson and Stephen Halliday while waiting to get the keys to his new home.
We also ask Batherson about two major departures from Ottawa. He shares his reaction to Brady Tkachuk’s trade, explains why he understands his longtime teammate’s decision and reflects on their friendship.
Batherson also discusses Daniel Alfredsson’s move to Toronto and offers some fascinating insight into what made Alfie such an effective teacher, communicator and mentor.
Other topics include Batherson’s early chemistry with Tim Stützle and Andre Burakovsky, his first impressions of Jaxon Cover, the arrival of Ben Hutton on a professional tryout and whether Stützle or Sanderson is the fastest Senator.
After the interview, we break down the biggest stories from the opening days of training camp. Can Batherson reach 40 goals? Will William Eklund and Fabian Zetterlund’s friendship translate into on-ice chemistry? Is Ottawa’s projected top six strong enough to replace the offence lost in the Tkachuk trade?
We also discuss Carter Yakemchuk’s costly scrimmage turnover, the injury concerns surrounding Artem Zub and Warren Foegele, and whether Hutton can earn a contract as a veteran insurance option on defence.
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